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COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 




JAMES BUCHANAN KI.MORE. 



MUTUMN "ROSES 



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BY JAMES B. ELMORE 

Author of "Love ^mong the Mistletoe, and Poems; 
"^ Lover in Cuba, and Poems;" " Twenty- 
five Years in JackviHe {^yJ 'Romance 
in the Days of the Golden Cir- 
cle), and Selected Poems " 



^ 



Alamo, Ind. 

Published by the Author 

1907 



LIBRARY of C0Nut.t3S| 
Two Copies Roceivsa I 

DEC 13 1907 i 

Lntrv 

XXC, MU: 



Oopyrlfnt 



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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1907, by 

JAMES B. ELMORE, 
In the Office of the lyibrarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C, 



cylUTOBIOGRAPHY 

if 

JAMES B. ELMORE. 



James B. Elmore, the "bard of Alamo," so eliris- 
tened by Jesse Greene, of Crawfordsville, Ind., was born 
near the little town of Alamo, Ind., on January 25, 
1857. His father was of Scotch descent and his mother 
was of Dutch descent. The poet and novelist was reared 
on a farm, working in the summer and going to school 
in the winter until he arrived at the age of about fifteen 
years. Then he entered the Alamo Academy, where he 
graduated in a large class — and it has been a class of 
noted persons — of which N". J. Clodfelter, poet and nov- 
elist; William Humphrey, member of Congress from 
the State of Washington; Oswald Humphrey, president 
of Cornell University, of ISTew York; Eva Clodfelter 
Ballard, a novelist; William Denman, exauditor of 
Putnam County; and Albert Gilkey, of Indian Terri- 
tory, who is now sojourning in Europe, were all mem- 
bers. 

The poet taught school for twenty years quite success- 
fully during the winter and farmed during the summer. 
He wrote occasional poems for the newspapers, which 
they freely published, and in retiring from teaching, in 
1898, by the request of his wife, the poet published a 
volume of poems which was very popular; and so one 



viii. Autobiography of James B. Elmore. 

volume followed another until he has three volumes now 
before the reading public, and he now has another vol- 
ume ready for the press. The poet had no wealth on 
which to climb the mount of fame, which is so conven- 
ient for a brilliant literary start in life, so he had to 
labor hard, writing only of nights and spare time when 
it would not interfere with his day labor and when out- 
door work was impossible; but true genius will find an 
outlet, no matter which way the wind may blow. Its 
flight is like that of the eagle — onward and upward. 
The soul loves its fancies, and it seeks for its riches in 
the depths of the vast domain of nature. 

The poet married Mary Ann Murray, of Nevada City, 
Mo., in 1880, Avho is the idol of his life, and he has 
dedicated a poem to her — " My Mary, of Missouri." Un- 
like the bachelor poets of his time, he sings of nature, 
romance, and love, such as they can never do. Their 
dreams, as of " Sweethearts of Long Ago," never mate- 
rialize, except through the mystic smoke of tobacco 
fumes and nepenthe of varied mysterious spirits of the 
lower regions. Elmore loves the pure and undefiled 
idyls that roam about the woods and pastures, whose vi- 
sions and inspirations come by breathing the sweet 
aroma of the beautiful flowers which charm the gods 
of the universe and harmonize every element of human 
nature in a beautiful paragon of love, where man ever 
rests in that beautiful and blissful abode of everlasting 
happiness. 




MRS. MARY ANN ELMORE- 
" My Queen." 



DEDICATION. 



I give these roses to my queen, 
The fairest mortal I have seen. 
She is a perfect flower of youth, 
More fair than ever ancient Euth ; 
She is a balm unto my breast, 
Soothing mv heartaches all to rest; 
She stands before me bright and fair, 
With golden curls of glossy hair. 

A perfect angel blithe and gay, 

She charms the mystic elves away ; 

And when I feel a faint despair. 

Pier impulse even guides me there. 

A smile adorns her lovely face ; 

jSTo statue ever bore her grace. 

She loved through years of toil and strife- 

The angel that I call my wife. 



INDEX. 



Autobiography of James B. Elmore vii. 

Dedication xi. 

Autumn Roses 1 

The Shirt-waist Editor 'S 

A County Ditch 4 

A Berry 5 

The Farmer of Delphi (5 

Bodings of Mortality 7 

Acceptance of an Invitation to a Banquet 10 

Man 11 

The Last Ray 11 

The Banquet—" The Blessings of Wabash " 18 

My Love and I 15 

Press Banquet, Terre Haute, Ind., January 1, 1906 17 

Farewell to Darkest Russia 18 

My Love is Like a Sweet, Sweet Flower 21 

I'm a Poor Orphan Boy 21 

A Little Mousie 22 

Shame on You 23 

Verses 24 

When Katie Gathers Greens 25 

The Mazy Street Fair 27 

In INIemory of the Class of 1907 28 

Ode to the Class of 1907 31 

The Isthmian Canal 31 

A Little Mollusk and Shell 33 

A Friendship Tribute 34 

Efforts for Jesus 36 

My Lady Love 37 

We Onward Move 40 



XIV. INDEX. 

PAGE. 

A Bird of Passage 41 

The Perfect Law of Liberty 42 

The City Voice 46 

Coasting at School 47 

A Mystic Stream . 49 

Chanticleer 51 

The Elmore Automobile 63 

Robert Burns 56 

A Mountain Lass 57 

The Sweet, Fair Maids of Butler 65 

The Senate Grafter 67 

The Springtime of Life 68 

Youth and Sunshine 70 

The Little Wren 72 

Faith, Hope, and Charity 74 

An Outing 76 

The River 77 

Who is Little Rosy Nell ? 80 

Sleep 81 

The American Navy 83 

General Wallace 86 

Acrostic 87 

The Country Club 87 

The Scenes of May 89 

On Earth We'll Meet no More 94 

The Crisis of 1893 96 

Youth, the Blooming Flower of Life 97 

Acrostic 98 

A Dream 98 

Winter Scenes 99 

St. Cecilia 101 

An Epitaph 103 

Ideal Love 103 

Resignation 104 

Old Maids 106 



INDEX. XV. 

PAGK. 

Light and Life Move Onward 105 

The Modern Town of Darlington 107 

A Felo-de-se lOW 

The Devil 112 

The Golden-rod 114 

The Long-handled Gourd 115 

The Good Old Sheep-sorrel Pie 117 

July 4, 1904 119 

"And Thou, Too, Brutus" 119 

Acrostic 121 

A Social Greeting 121 

A Christmas Carol 122 

Elmore 124 

A Pedant 124 

A Quickened Soul 126 

Flossie's Christmas 128 

A Doubting Teacher ". 129 

A Prayer 131 

Old Glory 132 

Liberty 133 

A Wreck on the Midland 134 

A Charming Lass 136 

Stanzas 138 

The Glory of Old Wabash 138 

Currency Elasticity 139 

Receipt for Eben H. Wolcott, of White County, Ind 141 

Contentment 141 

An Autograph 143 

Little Baby Amy 143 

Tommy Little's Courtship 144 

A Social Sparrow 147 

The Dying vSwan 148 

A Day of Bliss 149 

The Youth of Delphi 149 

A Legislature Bum 151 



XVI. INDEX. 

PAGE. 

The Lonely Valley 153 

The Eagle's Aerie 154 

A New-year's Song 155 

The New Year 156 

A Slave to Fashion 158 

Japan and Port Arthur 161 

The Wabash 164 

An Autograph 167 

How Little Baby Came 168 

Co-ordination, or Stream of Life 169 

Little Baby Bell 172 

Fair Anna's Fate 174 

The Violet 178 

The Light of Dreams 179 

L'envov 183 





^^ 





o4utumn Roses. 



Sweet nutuiiiii fidwer, I love thee so; 
Tiut soon the lioreal winds will Mow 
And scatter desohvtion where 
'I'hou art standing- so Uriii-hl and tail'. 

']\)-thn' ihy life is sweet and ii'ay. 
As children that tlusli tlieii cheeks at jilay 
Xo harm tlion tliinkest can come to thee, 
Xo doulit nor ho])e in mystery. 

In dust tliv form will molderino' lie; 
|-'aii- natiiri' will close tli\' ])iii'|)le eye; 
15ut soon aii'ain thou wilt a)i|)eai-. 
As hi'i^uht and ]o\-el\- each autumn yeai'. 

Bnt me — ah, nie ! — poor gropinu- sonl, 
A traveler toward a future goal I 
My troubled heart must sink to I'est. 
Trusting the future by the ]iast. 

Man dies, but not as thee, dear llower; 
He dreads the sad ine vital )le hour. 
He sinks to rest and goes alone, 
A dweller of a loiudv home. 



AlTUMN RoSKS. 



IJelieve thyself, man of fears ! 
Thou'lt live again a thonsand years :* 
Passing onward in joy and bliss. 
Thon seek'st a lioine more fair ihaii this. 

What joy to thee, noble man ! 
Like me, 3^011 sure will live again ; 
Thy ashes quickened regain the son!. 
Come forth, man, and thon art whole ! 

The prince of darkness lies in chains.f 
Whilst the immortal ]5eacefnlly. reigns. 
A little season and chaos comes — 
Fair glory lies in brighter homes. 

A living sonl thou hast within 
When the immortal is cleansed of sin. 
Destined to walk the golden strand, 
A flower, a sliadow, in fairyland. 

0, noble man. tbou art to be 
Like Him who rules in mystery ! 
God lives for all, and never dies. 
Leading the pilgrim to the skies. 



*Rev. -20: i. 
+Rev. 20: 2. 



The Shirt-waist Editor. 



THE SHIIJT-WAIST EDITOK. 

There came a iiiaii from Danville town, 
And as a ])an-ot he ]ilayed the clown; 
He rode the streets in many a shaix", 
And played the monkey or the ape. 

He gave old Wahash a mio-hty crack; 
His tricky bike, it flew the track. 
Then — flap-a-doodle ! — he came down 
Wliile out a-takini!.- in the to^\n. 

His style, it was so rough and rude, 
The ladies called him "Danville Dude;^' 
He in his manner showed ]joor taste 
By wearing of a blue shirt waist. 

He applauded authors to the sky, 
And some he scanned with evil eye. 
Now Skipper Irison's fading gown 
Would fit the da.ndy nice and brown. 

J\''ow come this way, you Sucker you — 
Stick in your pipe and suck her through ! 
And when good people are at rest, 
Just let them be; you'll find it best. 

You stick your pipe in crawfish holes ; 
The Hoosier's o-jory onward rolls. . 
You vent your spleen upon tlie dead — 
The living yet will paint you red ! 



Autumn Roses. 



A COUNTY DITCH. 

TT()O|)0nhisei' is a good survovoi" 

Where the land is di'v; 
But he laid the ditcli assessment 

Just eap-a-pie. 

L'obley has eight hundred acres, 

A small tract have I ; 
Eobley is a ditch commissioner, 

A contrilmtor am I. 

Slivlock has a thousand acres 

Tiled up to a ten. 
But he thinks a hftecn-inch 

'"Bout right for other men. 

The miser is a gracious fellow. 

Tiling rivulets and rills; 
He pinches off his filthv lucre. 

But fei.on would drain our liills. 

The i^oor man pays the ditch assessment, 
Although his ditch is made; 

He toils and tugs to save his honor, 
The miser plies his trade. 

The rich man seeks for public office; 

He leads the public van. 
0, who can fill his lustful coffers ? — 

This miserable sort of man ! 



A Bkrkv. 

A BEERY. 

A l^errv grew among the brush 
That h^ved tlie malt of barley; 

Its cheek was i-eddened to a blush — 
The freak, it looked like Charley. 

It loved the motley, dazzling stream, 
When gloaming ghosts might sally 

The fiery flow had left its gleam — 
The freak, it looked like Charley. 

ft gi-cw ii|)(iii tlic W'abasli shore, 
Witli many a di'eani of folly; 

Its cousins chilled it to the core — 
'f'he freak, it looked like Charley. 

D.'lighted was the little thing. 
In- breeze or hi'awl of parley; 

Eeliant on its |»OA\er to sting — 
The freak, it looked Hke Charley. 

11 liad no savo]' that Ave love — 

'I'liis rosv-looking l)crrv; 
iS'o charm it has we would remove — 

The freak, it looked like Charley. 

No doubt in autumn's ripening glow 
Sweet sap we love may rally ; 

Fair culinaries long ago 

Have baked the mystic charley. 



AfTUMN Roses. 



THE FARMER OF DELPHF 
A farmer from tlie city came 

To tend tlic vii'gin soil; 
Tie Imstk'd out in sun and rain. 

And made the business boil. 
He wrought beneath the sultry skies, 

For Charley learneth how. 
The bugs and worms and ants look wise 

Wben Ciiarley goes to plow. 

Tbe fertile loam ins])ired the lad 

Tliat itnshcd th(> fervent (|uill; 
\\v laid aside the iid\'y (|ua(l 

To plow upon the bill ; 
He long(Ml to win the nolile |)ri/,e; 

He pails the Jersey cow. 
The bugs and Avorms and ants look wise 

When Charley goes to plow. 

He left the nation in repose 

To. tend his tliriving Hock ; 
He left behind a statesman's clothes 

And donned a yeoman's frock; 
And thus his ardor he ap]dies, 

A Cincinnatus now. 
'I'be bugs and worms and ants look wise 

When Chai'ley goes to plow. 



BoDiNGS OF Mortality. 



How sweet the divani that Jacob had. 

Whose ladder readied the sky ! 
You onolit to see the farmer lad 

Each round and i-niiud u'o 1)y. 
, Great pumpkins of enormous size 

Will crown his sweatino- brow. 
The bugs and worms and ants look wise 

Wlien Charlev _a-o('s to |)low. 

June 111, I'.Kl.i. 

BODINGS OF :\[0RTAL1TY. 

The golden sim moves slowly out of sight, 
The dark shades of iiight come gloomily on, 

(iravc thoughts come o'er me liitter as a blight. 
Faint dreams now make my loiu'ly heart forlorn. 

A stillness comes. All life is soon at rest. 

In retreats of Joy come woeful sounds of gloom. 
An aching heart makes \()id llie heaving breast. 

As solemn scenes di'aw nigh of shroud and tondi. 

The youthful cup of joy is sweet and full. 
Fate in the distance lea\-es it lilled with wor: 

Death comes as a shadow and t'oncpieis ail: 
The soul in its flight — 0, where will it go? 

Xature i-olls the great wheel Itoding of fate. 
This cvcle of time, ere closes the seene. 

lu the cokl, damp earth we'll lie and wait : 
Unconscious we sleep nv peacefully dream. 



Autumn Rosks. 



In depths of the forest fond lovei's may hide, 
And fondle each otlioi- wjtli God-given grace;' 

But the angel of death thithci- will glide; 

The gloom that is spread l)rings woe to the place. 

Dear little ones that we cherish and love 
Depart on the winds that rustle and roar; 

.V mother's fond heart now mourns for the dove 
That has flown to its God whose image it hore. 

Life on its way is l)]en(l('d Avitli sorrow: 
It moves as a stream nearing the fall ; 

Faint is the trend of its course on the morrow. 
Dashing in si)rav at the adamant wall. 

IJriglit is the mist with heavenly gold 

< »'ei'spanning tlie gull' that iiuirm'ring weei)s: 

A sluidtU'i-. a cry, a lanih of the fold 

Now moves in a realm wliei'e fancy retreats. 

Tlie desert reflects fair tokens we see, 

Inspiring of hope, though false to the eye; 

It seeins to the heart such never could he. 
Such ])hantoms of joy we follow and die. 

The leaves of the valley, whispering, moan 
For those that ai-e gone, whose places we fill; 

And frail is tlie liand that fretted their stone. 
Who. too. in his iiii'n, now sleeps on the hill. 



BoDiNGS OF Mortality. 



Yaiii olories Avere they that Solomon mourned; 

Eesplenclent in joy lie lived for a day; 
The ]3rond and the gay he often had warned, 

The follies of earth move sadly away. 

AVhat stones of his temi^le now peacefully Ideud, 
A match for its mate in glitter and glare ? 

The ]n-oud and the vain soon come to an end. 
The rich and the ]ioor dwell peacefully thei'c. 

The cedars of Lehanon. i-icli laden with gold. 

Inwrought with metal and brilliant stone; 
The time-eaten moth has given to mold. 

The master and builder together are gone. 

Xo trace of its fountains can v'vr he found: 
Their profile faint adoi'u l)ut a page: 

The neople have passed as an echoing sound. 
Xo troi^hies have they save a ))ro])hcti(/ a"t'. 

C'leoijatra fail' Avas a chai'ni io ihe eye. 

The kings of the earth all woi'shiped and fell : 

Tlie evil they wrought made virtue to sigh. 
The wreck of her heart rebounds as a knell. 

"We feel the rough ocean's billowy wave. 

The mariner shouts to the shore he has striven; 

With hope for a guide he sinks to his grave, 
Lost to the world, l)ut shriven in heaven. 



10 Autumn Roses. 



The soul froni its mansion ever will stray, 
The dust of the temple return as of yore : 

A life that is noble moves onward for ave, 
In o^lory celestial it lives evermore. 

A contented heart is not to he; 

God made his children that they as])ire. 
The spark of life tliat dwells in me 

Would reach the h(imc that all desire. 



ACCEPTANCE OF AN INVllW^lUOX TO A 
BANQUET. 

When the evoniuii- draws nigh. 
And the viands smell sweet, 

Dear friends, I'll be with you, 
As all hi'dthers should meet. 

Let the taMe be sju-cad, 

That the joyful may dine. 
And we'll toast off a health 

To our Adamite wine. 

Fj'oiii a child to a youth. 

From a youth to a nuui. 
We aspire in a race 

Willi the woi-id's iiioviii.ii' \an. 

December 12, 1905. 



Man.— The Last Ray. H 

MAN". 

Man is the world, death is the sea 
That leadeth man to eternity. ^ 
How straniic it is we slowly move 
To islands fair Avhero God is love! 
As sylphs that hover ronnd us near, 
The spirit moves into the air. 
And angels nigh that God has sent 
Receives the soul if ix'nitent. 
They onwai-d move in transit gay 
To realms of joy and endless day ; 
iVcross the har they I'each the shore, 
And dwell with Clirist for evermore. 

THE LAST KAY. 

The eve draws nigh, the sun shines dim 

Beneath the forest wall ; 
A minstrel sings a soliMini liymii. 

The leaves of autumn fall. 

The gleam of sunshine that I loved 

ISTo more is shining Inight; 
The scenes of childhood I approved 

Are growing dark as night. 

The murm'i-ing brook is running low, 

Xo bnbbles line its snrf ; 
Tlie flowers that kissed its ruddv flow 

Xe'er speak of cliildisli mirth. 



12 



Autumn Rosks 



The lambs that gambol on the mead 

Bleat all the sunny day; 
The birds that trilled aljove ]ny liead 

Sing sweetly far away. 



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THK I, A ST RAV 



The fireside circle, too, is gone 
Its profile now I see. 

()i: all that circle, T alone 
Am left to lonely be. 



Thk Banquet— "The Blessings of Wabash. 

Fair echoes of my eliildhood da^^s 
To me brini!,' linppy hours; 

Vtni time lias hi'oiiu'lit the evil days 
And siiullcii all the llowei'S. 

I lieai' the hislniiu' of the waves 
Tliat many a seaman liore; 

It brino:s a sadness as the leaves 
That soiyo-li ahont iiiv door. 

A tremor slills my aycd liaiid. 
Dim oTows the sky to me: 

A fairy vessel nears the laud — 
Farewell, farewell to lliee! 

necemt)er (i, li(li5. 



'HE 15ANQUKT— -THE BLESSINCiS 
OF VVAIJASH." 

AVe will feast as do great warriors 
AVhen the battle has been won. 

And our hearts are gay and joyons 
In the freaks of coll(\ge fnn. 

Bards may sing each other's jiraises 

In a quiet sort of way. 
But the striving hearts of students 
.Ever are as warm as thev. 



l4 Autumn Rosks. 



We enjoA' an hour of pleasure 
Round the festal board of hash; 

We will give impromptu measure 
On the blessings of WaJjasli. 

Men of honor, men of stature. 

Seek where wisdom ]nay be found ; 
They can find her at old Wabash, 

Sweet her echoes there rebound. 

Let us speak in praise and honor 
For the stride of wisdom made; 

Let us praise the noble founders 
Sleeping with the honored dead. 

From lier fount she l)ubl)]es sweetly, 
From her Baldwin to her Kane; 

She has reachetl the paths of glor}^, 
She has many men of fame. 

Gleaming as a mountain river 
Flowing to a warmer clime, 

Let her eclioes glide forever 

Down the changing gi'oove of time. 

December V.i, 1905. 



My LrOVK AND I. 15 



MY LOVE AND I. 

My love and I in joyful mood 
Strolled in the sylvan solitude, 
And there beneath the greenwood tree 
Came many a joyful sound to me. 

The songs of love they seemed to bear, 
To cheer the gentle maiden fair ; 
A child of life, her heart of love 
Still shone in radiance from above. 

Dec]! was the scene of boundless shade 
That spread her wings about the maid; 
Soft zephyrs of the lovely bowers 
Were laden with the breath of flowers. 

Utopian as fair lovers be 
We basked within this balmy sea, 
While cooing birds sung low and sweet 
The songs we love in such retreat. 

Her cheeks were as a lily fair. 
Beneath a crown of golden hair. 
I clasped her hand so fervent moved : 
"Fair Amy, wilt thou loYC as loved?" 

Her cheeks then bore a damask glow, 
But still as pure as driven snow; 
The well of love, her smiling eye. 
Made knoWn the silent heart's reply. 



]fi 



Autumn Roses. 



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-MY I.OVE AND I. 



Sweet child of nature yet divine, 
She pressed her n\h\ li])s to mine : 
I'hen Cupid whispered softly near 
\\ lovely nymph thou dost v<'vere. 



Press Baxqukt, Tkrre Haute, Ind. 17 

■■ liN'iiicinlicr thou tliv I'aii'N' <|U('('ii. 
Whose pai'tncr thou luist sou^'ht and l)ecii : 
Foi- sylphs that till the wakeful air 
\\"\\l seci'ets and misgivings bear. 

" Beware tlie telltale of the street, 
Where false and fickle lovers meet ! 
Beware these land)ent jo^^s — beware! 
The pitfalls of the world are there." 

December 22, 190.5. 



PRESS BANQUET. TERRE HAUTE. IND. 
JANUARY 1. 1906. 

In the preeinets of tlie eity, 

A\'here the spread is rich and line. 

There the wise men and the wittv 
Xiu] the scribes are wont to dine. 



They ai-e men that feed the thirsty 
On the t'vents of the day ; 

Thev are worthy, they are ti'nsty. 
Eet them ])ass where'er they may. 

All arc Avelcomc at onr dinner 

Who now push the ferveut quill— 

Saii'e and prophet, the heyinner. 

Shar]) of tongue and tart of will. 
3 



18 Autumn Roses. 



Thev arc foremost in the stnioglc 
Of the nation's moving van ; 

They lead on the force of l)nttlc 
For humanity and man. 

They, the augurs and the seers, 
View the planets and the stars ; 

They have harnessed forky Jove, 

They have changed tlie course of Mar; 

]\Icn of honor, men of stature. 

You have dined Avith living muse, 

Child of sunshine, child of nature, 
Di'inking deep the mountain dews. 

L)eceni1)cr 37, 1905. 

FAREWELL TO DAIJKKST lUJSSlA. 

Farewell to darkest Eussia. 

Ruled Ijy tyrannic C!zar; 
Thy fold is rent asunder. 

Thou canst not heal tlie scar. 
The light of freedom lingers 

In every Cossack hreast — 
The pearl of light and freedom 

God gave to tlie o|)i)r{'ss('d. 

The shnt's ot many a tyrant 
Tla\(' loosed the hands ot woe : 

Their heart willi nerve deliant 
Moves with the tichd ih.nv. 



Farewell to Darkest Russia. 19 

0, Czar of darkest Eiissia, 

Can tliou withstand tlic sti-aiu — 

Tlw peoijle starved and slaughtered 
For greed and woi'th and gain? 

The crown upon tliy forehead 

That hears a sparkhng gem 
No longer rules the peasant — 

They spurn a stagnant fen. 
Uive them tliy social l)irthrig]d. 

A partial hand at nde; 
Bring forth a roll of honor. 

As children of a school. 

The time is ri]je for action, 

Thy subjects wailing cry; 
Thy drastic rule and measure 

"^rhcy mean to do or die. 
No wonder Father Gapen 

Saw in the mystic clouds 
Dark signs and many wonders. 

As ghosts in moving slirouds. 

Sweet freedom in eai-h zephyr 

Comes from each mountain side; 
It shows a nation powerful 

Where"ei- it has 1)een tried, 
liolcnt. darkest Russia! 

And Xicliolas. he moved ! 
The mailed liand above us 

V\'e worshi]), and are loved. 



20 Autumn Roses. 



A iiirtii without a c-oiintrv 

Is he that has no power. 
The fury of a cyclone 

Destroys the sweetest flower ; 
But zephyrs soft and gentle 

Awake the sleeping gem. 
It heals the hearts of nations, 

It proves the liearts of men. 

A hero dit's with lionor ; 

A tyrant, lone and poor. 
The one goes on forever, 

The other breathes no more. 
0, darkest, darkest Russia, 

Eead well the signs that he ; 
Make thine an honored nation. 

Give all fair liberty ! 

There is but one great kingdom 
That will forever reign; 

It moves in light a wonder. 
Its laws tlie just maintain. 

A voice of silent vespers 

Sweet breathes in you and me 

The wind but softly whispers : 

" This is eternity ! " 

January S, HHlil. 



Mv LovR IS Like a Swket, Swekt P^i.ower. 



:\1V LOVE IS LIKE A SWEET, SWEET PLOWEK. 

My love is like a sweet, sweet flower, 
Whose life with incense fills each bower ; 
Her cheeks are tinged in damask glow, 
As fair as ever flowerets grow. 

Her eyes like radiant stars did sliiiic 
^\'llil(• looking Avistfnlly into mine; 
A sitell or trance came over me. 
So charming was her symmetry. 

As Aurora glowing o'er the ice, 
Her heart was of a strange device ; 
And when it came the bridal day, 
She with another flew aAvay. 

I mourn not for tlie airy lass 
And idle heart of woe and dross; 
Biit give me heart of maiden fair. 
Whose smiles are joy, whose love I share. 

I'M A POOE, POOR ORPHAI^ BOY. 

I have wrought with hope and manh', 

That I might the world enjoy ; 
But- no fruits have crowned my efforts — 

I'm a poor, ]3oor orphan l)oy. 

I liave striven to gain the guerdon, 

But I ne'er attained the joy ; 
Xo one e'er has bid me welcome — 

I'm a poor, poor orphan lioy. 



Autumn Roses. 



Dead and gone are all m^- kindred, 
Hope is void of all its joy. 

All the Avorld seems dark and ilrcarv- 
I"ni a poor, pooi- or])liaii l)()y. 

Hark! tne sound of niariial nnisie 
Changes all my heart's alloy ; 

God has sent his holy angels 
For a poor, poor orphan boy. 

January 1:!, 19()f). 

A LITTLE MOUSIE. 

0, pretty little moiisie, 
I love to see you play ; 

You nibble at the cupboard, 
And then you run away. 

You nestle in my papei's. 

And strew them on the floor; 

You know not of their value — 
I ne'er can read them moi-e. 

0, ])retty little mousie, 

You scamper in the meal : 
You peep into the pantry, 
, Then vanish as a sail. 

0, cunning little mousie, 
Whfere is your cozy nest? 

'Tis in the handsome wardrobe 
Among our Sunday best. 



Shame on Yof. 28 



0, pretty little iiiousie. 
You sliarply look at itu 

>Slv, nini1)le little rodent, 
I\o flit lire liotlicrs thee 



SHAME ON YOF. 

A Common wealth that has strength enough to digest the literary prodnct 
of its native sons, when those sons are as garr\ilous and impotent as are the 
literateurs of Indiana, has nothing to fear from a little thing like political 
corruiilion -A 5/. Pan! (A/iiiii.) uncsfiafif}- 

^ot takino; Iii(liaiia"s ])aTt, 

Xot knoekino- aiiv one — 
How luufli in lettci's or in ai't 

Has Minnesota done? 



If any ]ioet ever -wrote • 

In that XortlnvGstern State, 

Pray put ns next, that we may note 
What sono's have made him <iTeat. 

We in Ohio often lano-h 

At Indiana's claim 
To greatness — and we don't like hall 

Her l)ooks. Ynit just the same. 

Eeally, St. Paul, we'd liesitate 

To name as '' impotent '■ 
Some of the writers from the State 

Of our Vice President. 



24 Autumn Roses. 



W'v have no cause to vn\\ \\vv' 
, (As other States niav do) ; 
'J'Jierefore, St. I'aiil, \\v can't coiiciii' 
With these iiieai) knocks froiii \'OU. 

^Ye liold tlie i)oet wlio can (111 
Oui' liearts with deep content. 

Like Elnioi'G, is not " puei'ih'."" 
And far from '"impotent." 

Of writers of the Silly Set, 
!N"o doul)t she has her (piota ; 

Biit with such oidv connttMl, yet 
Stie'd win from Minnesota! 

VERSES. 

Fear not in tlie orrindins: mill of time. 
If thy life is l)eantifnl and snlilimc. 

Pride and vanity — twins, yon know — 
Lead the sonl to dee]ier woe ; 
Tired limbs are slow and tame. 
Then what joy in heinu' vain ? 

Men as rivers s]3an the earth. 
Let them prove what tln^v ar(> worth. 
They as brothers all should be. 
Great hope it leaves in destiny. 



When Katie Gathers Greens. 25 



Give me a verso that pleases the soul, 
One that reaches nearest the o-oal ; 

(five me a poem with rhythm and sense, 
Fnll of rich tlionolit and recompense; 

Such beauteons thoughts much pleaseth me 
That glow with warmth of futurity. 

Take these fj'lowing. living (lowers 
Aiul s])end with them some ha])py hours. 
Just flash them on the inward eye. 
And never Avill their incense die. 
Sweetly they lived in realms of love; 
Still blooming, may they live and move. 

Xature is worth more to men than idle phantasy, for 
too often it dies under the somnand)ulistic spell, and na- 
ture lives forever: it is tlic l)ii'd in the Imsli u|)i)n which 
vou can lav vour hands. 



WIIE>sT KATIE GATHERS GREEJnTS. 

The warm and pleasant days are come. 

And sweet Mav voices ring; 
All hearts are full of fervent love — 

They tell me this is spring'. 
The young plants show their tender shoots, 

The day so pleasant seems; 
11 is a balm that cheers the heart 

W lien Katie gathers greens. 



26 Autumn Roses. 



]\liich indoor life stuii'iiatcs the l:)loo(l. 

And makes a tori)id l.iver : 
r>\\t soon the snn sends ])ierein,u' ra\s. 

And jnakes the k^aflets qnivei'. 
1 hing for viands tart and <iood 

To start arterial streams ; 
]\rv heart lea])s uji with jov and liojio 

AVIicii l\atic oatjicrs ureens. 

A mild cathartic, narrow ihx'k. 

Out in the orchard ,iiTows: 
And dandelion, whose wondrous leaves 

With nervine overfloA\'s. 
Growing niixstard in the garden 

Comes sweetly in liiy dreams. 
And fills my heart anew with joy. 

When Katie gathers greens. 

The pnrple poke top sonndly sleei)s; 

It is the last of all 
'I'o enter in such dainty food 

As changes hile and gall. 
But yet it comes, though very late, 

And dots the waste like scenes; 
Then comes the hap])iest day of s])i'ing, 

When Katie gathers greens. 

Ivatie, I Avould that you might live 
And smile along your course, 

And glean elixir's precious wealth 
From Nature's mvstic source. 



The Mazy Street Fair. 



Thonsii Dcx-tor So-aiid-So iiiiu'lit fail 
From slight replenislied means. 

Tho matrnn, Inrd, and lass rejoice 
When ^fav l)rini;'s l)ack llic liTccns. 

May •!. \W>7. 

THE :\[AZY STirEET FATI^. 

Soon Avill eoine a tinu^ for lestinu', 

Wlien the crops are salV'ly in; 
Tlien our work is not oppressing;, 

And we visit folks and kin. 
How we love the jolly horse show 

And the street fair in the fall, 
As joyful strains of music flow 

For the daddy of 'em all. 

Golden pumpkins line the sidewalk. 

Aijid queer venders fill the street; 
While up and down the nnirts we walk. 

And we l)anjo thrummers meet. 
Dark " Greasers '' eat Bologna snakes. 

Gulping- them down, skin and all ; 
And wondrous tales they there relate 

For the daddy of "em all. 

The Cakewalk and the mischief man. 
With confetti hags of fun. 

Outrival all the motley van. 
Making ladies shv and run. 



28 Autumn Roses. 

The lii<>li (live of the niml^lo jack. 

From liis ladder straight and tall, 
]>rings honors foi' the man alack 

For the dadd}- of 'em all. 

A crown of glor}' now is given 

To him that hears the name; 
x\n angel of a printer's haven. 

And 3'et he is quite game. 
All honors give and sing in ]iraise 

Of him who did install 
This mazy fair of modern da\s 

For the daddy of 'em all. 

There crossed the marge of river \\'\t\o 

Fairest harlots of the West. 
Where is our shame^, our civic pride. 

With such a boon as blessed? ■ 
They lie in wait in vile saloons, 

For their victims slyly call ; 
We give the honor and festoons 

For the daddy of 'em all. 



I?i MEMORY OF THE CLASS OF 1907, 

We dedicate this stone to-day 
To the hall that bears our name ; 

It bids us fail- to push oui' way 
To oroater deeds of fame. 



^^fii 












•r^'- 



2 s 

Q ^ 

as o 

O M 






30 AiTUMN Roses 



We give tliis vt^tive stone in i)r;iise 

Of old Wabash as of yore; 
Tt nmrks an epoeli ; let it rise 

And stand for evermore ! 

In memory sweet of days gone Ijy 

We inscribe a precious scroll ; 
Our classic joy can never die — - 

We sought the crowning goal. 

In years agone we'll come and see 
What change Time's tooth has done 

What matters it to you and me? 
We stand as a unit, or one. 

This adamant our naines will bear. 

In hono]-, so let it be ! 
As soothing winds when days arc fair. 

We pass with the human sea. 

As a purling stream we onward move, 
Or the calm of an ocean swell ; 

The leaves that sigh have a ei'own of love, 
The river of life is full. 

Th(^ futui-e years A\itb joy are s|U'ead 
With a sheen ol:' ])erfect gohl ; 

As silscry gi'ows tlie traveler's head. 
We ijass to another fold. 



Ode to the C;,ass of 1907. 31 

Tlu' l.,aiiib of (lod is iIutc, our Kiiii^', 

And science is nanjiht but i)laY ; 
The Ix'lls of Zion as scliool bells riuii'. 

And darkness has ])assed away. 

ODE TO ^IMTE 0LAS8 OF 1907. 

Grand is Ben Greet. 

But wind is fleet; 

They give, they say. 

Then flv away 
And leave the honored jiiiest to pay: 

Bnt he ])assed liy 

The college eye. 
They wistfully breathed a hmging sigh. 

^yho cduM do worsr. 

Tliough slim his ])urse? 

Smart boys are they, 

J^ow feeling gay; 
Time will tell it anotlier (hiy. 

Ma}' they retlect 

In due respect ; 
Immodest acts will leave their Sjieek. 

THE ISTHMIAN CANAL. 

(). what great ]»lan has the nation now. 
As .she ri(h's the hidowy ocean's bi'ow, 
(Ji'ossing the torii'ut and crossing the hind r 
Mountains are shaken al our command I 



32 Autumn Roses. 



'riii'()ii<ili cartl) and iliroii^i^ii hillows cxci- we uo. 
(). who Avould dare stoj) the woiuk'vful flow? 
We'll fathom the de])tlis ol' isthmian ties. 
And eomiiass the caiih 'iieatli ii-oi»ieal skies. 

Who would believe that man in his ]n'ide 
Through such a great stnictuve ever would ride, 
Crossing the bar from ocean to ocean ? 
(Quickened, the world is full of commotion. 

The pi'ide of a uatioii shoidd ever ai'ise 
Abreast in the tide with so|)hists most wise; 
Hold the old seers firm in their place, 
Cliiding the ]ieoi)le will keep in the race. 

Atlantic, I'acific, soon will be one — 
From ocean to ocean steamei's will run; 
AVith music trium])hant and uiartial disjjlav 
The trade of a nation will ])ass in a day. 

The trend of our nation is ever alert. 
We'll circle the planet — wdiere is the hurt? — 
And ojien new channels to millipns of trade; 
We'll garnish the shovel, the pick, and the spade. 

Seek not the aid ot wizard oi' witch ; 
IJeason makes way f(U' digging the ditch. 
To kec]) off the nations now writhing in blond. 
We'll consecrate ours to peace and to God. 



A LiTTi,E MoLLUSK AND Shell. 88 

Brave Montezuma was master one time 
O'er mountains and rivers bright and sublime ; 
But through his great land our vessels must go 
As swift as the winds that listeth and blow. 



A LITTLE MOLLUSK AND SHELL. 

Wonderful little spiral shell, 
How did you ever come ashore? 

Tliink any human soul can tell 

The (le])ths you've traveled o'er and o'er? 

Your house is frail witli o|)en door. 
Your form shuts out the tidal flow ; 

Through raging storms and seas that roar. 
You onward, onward still must go. 

If dangers come, you hide Avithin 
Your little shell of snowy ])earl; 

No man can trace you]' magic s])an 
Oi' secret lil'e iu house of whorl. 

But when your mystic life is Sjtent, 
You'll sail the iiowiug main no more; 

But sounds of surging seas are lent 

To murm'ring winds that dart your door. 

Your stav was short; youi' tenement 

^^'il] stand a beauteous gem for all. 
The weary mind is ne'er content. 
But marvels at voui- wondrous pall. 
4 



34 Autumn R(jsks. 



Your cell was foniied by One that lives 
And guides tlie inillioii Avovlds al)ove. 

Your crimson lintel holds and proves 
The wisdom of a ])erfect love. 

Can man while on the surface Ijorne, 

And groping through faint gleams of light. 

Cast anchor on a distant shore, 

As death removes the veil of night ? 

Ho])e links to Cod the human soul, 

Which trance o'ercame and handed down 

A fleeting s])ark from a distant goal 
'J'hat long ago had worn a crown. 

Biit light removed from reservoir 
That fed the infant s]3ark of flame 

May lose the sight of home afar, 

And cease to be through doubt and sliaine. 

Light extinguished, dark shades abound. 
And voices distant moan and wail 

Like ships distressed that run aground. 
Through shoals of earth they cannot sail. 

A FRIENDSHIP TRIBUTE. 

(to j. a. g.) 
Iliju who the poet's life ever uj^holds 

May the God of heaven e'er bless; 
In his life is seen a beautiful gleam. 

As he guides of a masterful ]iress. 



A Friendship Tribute. 85 

Many have lived wlio have aided by praise 
From a heart full of warmth and love; 

Like a iiash it came from a luminous l)rain. 
As the angels e'er speak above. 



Tart words pierce the soul as a glittering sword, 

Although unspitefully sent; 
Let the heart speak the word that is never abhorred, 

And the heartstrings never are rent. 



Such a friend is he who is warm in cheer. 
Whose heart sun shines to adore ; 

^^'ith a warm, mild eye that reaches on higli, 
And a heart that is rio-ht to the core. 



The world's looking on at the noble and strong, 
Helping those that are faint and w^ould fall; 

A spirit in bliss is nearest like this, 
When the stars and nelmla fall. 

Great love to thee, friend; though distant thou be, 
Thv grace and thy love are with me. 

May thy life shine bright as a gem of the night 
In the realm of eternity. 

December 12, 1904. 



'AG Autumn Rosks. 



EFFOETS FOE JESUS. 

(Written to be sung at a Christian Epworth meeting at Denver, Col. 
July, 1905.) 

We will rally in convention 

Where a life's work has begun ; 

We are seeking for the glory 
That is promised hy the Son. 

We will join in happy chorus, 
Praising Him who rules above; 

We will shout and praise the Master, 
He'll redeem us with his love. 
Chokus. 

In His cause the Christian E]3wortli 
Seeks the precious and the pure ; 

Pray the heart be full and flowing, 
That its work may long endure. 

Shout and. praise the great Eedeemer, 
Let sweet anthems raise on high ; 

We would seek the paths of glory 
In the mansions of tlie sky. 

ClIOEUS. 

We beseech thee, precious ]\faster. 
Wilt tliou make us frtv Itoiii sin. 

We are knocking at thy portals — 
0, Good Master, let us in ! 



!^r^■ Lady Love. 37 



We would walk the paths of glory 
With the saints redeemed of vore ; 

We would ask a home in heaven 
When oil)' life on cai'tli is o'er. 

CiTORns. 
Ilun'ali, liiin-nli foi- lliiii who ndcs ahove! 
Ilni'rah. liiiiTali for .Icsus and his love! 
We'll shout and praise the leaching 
or the great and nohle One 
Who was nailed and I'eviled on (Ik^ eross-l ree ! 

December 20, lltni. 

MY LADY LOA'L. 

1\1 y lady love is nice and I'air, 
Witli golden curls and glossy haii'; 
A damask rose is on her cheek. 
And I'airylike her hrow complete — 
My lady love. 

Her face is sweet and tongue acute. 
Her voice is airy as a flute; 
A form Utopian rare to see. 
This girl of youthful symmetry — 
]\Iy lady love. 

Her smiles were joy unto my soul, 
Aiid many a lovely kiss I stole; 
(She glanced aside and looked askance. 
An act of love, no douht, ])erchance — 
My lady love. 




MV 1,A1)V 1,1 )VK. 



Mv I.ADV Love. 39 



She luiiicing" walked tlio streets of yore; 
Sncli foi'in I ne'er liad seen before; 
So ])ierciiiu- wei-e !iev dark-brown eves; 
Tlie ,u<)(ls could urant no o-vcater prize — 
j\ry lady love. 

I w()ii(lci-('(] at a form so neat. 
Such Cinderella hands and feci. 
Is it a fancy I have seen, 
Oi' is it Heaven's fairy queen — 
ily lady love? 

The earth sccukuI bi'iii-hter where .she walked. 
The birds conniiuninii' when she talked ; 
And when she siuiled, mv heart grew faint. 
So sweet lier face, ne'er tinu'ed with ])aint — 
M \- lady l()\ ('. 

The sonu" birds chanted in her praise. 
Her warmth and j^'i'ace made brii;htei' days, 
And twilight ran far into night. 
Such was the love of my delight — 
^1 V lad\ love. 

My vision of lu'r will never die. 
She is an angel l'i-om on high; 
I cannot think (d' her but dear, 
'^riie sera|)h^ always hoxei- near — 
^iv ladv lo\e. 



40 Autumn Roses. 



'None knew lier heart so warm to me. 
But I Avlio ])erfcct A'isions see; 
She gave to me her dearest soul. 
Her perfect life hath made me wliole— 
My lady love. 

(i()(l i^Taiil thai slic fdrc'ci' lie iiiiiic. 
A flower of carih. yet dixiiic: 
j\jy setting s\iii J wish to he 
Like her in \i\Ht eternity — 
My lady love. 

But she has gone. 1 know not where. 
And left me lonely in depair; 
She is not mine to call my own. 
Since love hath wings and she has flown — 
M V lady love. 

December iio, 1904. 

WE ONWARD MOXK. 

(Written for a young ladies' club of Western College, Oxford, O.) 

We onward move as time rolls hy, 
Throngli many a groove of change; 

\Ve view the wondrous things on high — 
The mind is wondrons strange. 

The higher life we keep in view, 

Where mystic visions roll : 
With steady gaze we scan the new, 

It cheers the striving sonl. • 



A Bird of Passage. 41 

^Vc onward move as moves the brook 

That makes the mighty stream ; 
The fokls of nature o])es her l^ook. 

We view the mystic slieen. 

Look on tlie ,i;"leaminj;" stars of ni^ht. 

Plow sti-auii'e ihcy l)i'i,i:htly shine; 
(Jod licid tlic Slic]ili('i'<l star ari;^ht 

Above Ills Soil (li\ine. 

lie uiiiiK's tlie maiden in her yoiilli — 

So ])ure. so hrii^hi and fair : 
lie wouhl that slie, like saercd liiiih. 

Wonld he a brilliant star. 

January 1:!, litOO. 

A r.iiji) OK rAssA(ii:. 

In the distance soars a speeb'r. 

In tlic dark and livid sky, 
Floating as a fairy vessel 

Seems the specter to the eye. 

Nearer, nearer comes tlie shadow. 

Comes the transient bird in aii' ; 
As a cloud it floats above me. 

And its voice I faintly hear. 

Gazing at it, how 1 wonder. 

And how queer it seems to be 
Soaring in this realm a strangei'. 

Moving to a distant sea! 



42 ' Autumn Roses. 



Bird of ]iassage, onward iiioving. 
Sweet the tidino-,s thou dost hrino-; 

Thou ha.-^t fiHed my soul witli longiuf;' 
For tliy Jo\x' of t'lidlcss s|)rin<i'. 

80011 tliou wilt Itavc rcaclu'd thy station. 
And will I'cst. tli\- lahors o'ci' ; 

AVith tliy kindi'cd tliou art liappy 
On a hriuiit and balmy shore. 

A\'and'rin,u- stran,<i'cr, thou hast taui^ht nic 
By the guidance of thy wing- 

I to fairer shores am moving. 
In a hind of sunny spring. 

Soon my ]at)ors will have ended. 
And I'll tread the earth no more; 

As a s('i'a))h in I he hca\('ns 
I will rest, iii\ lahors o'cf. 



THE TEEFKCT LAW OF LTBEBTY 

(iod of tlic (.-hanging nnivcrso, 
(), wilt thou sa\t' the ti'ihcs of earth ! 
In my lieart ai'e shades ol' fear. 
For thou art ever jjresent near. 
T^nseen thou movest evervAvhere, 
Kiding in waves of haliuy ail'. 
Watching what uian uiay e\-ei' do. 
Even the doubting Cliristiuu Jew, 



The Perfect Law of Liberty. 43 

Doubting the divinitY of the Son, 
Whom lio thinks is yet to come. 
But even tlie ancient law has shown, 
Speaks of llic Stai' and sacred One. 
A jjert'ect cliild the clierul) straniier, 
"Wa.s born within an ox's manger. 
Jose])lius said there once was seen 
A man as Clirist in Palestine. 
His own, his own received him not. 
The rended veil but marks the spot; 
The sacred castle from its crown 
A mass of ruins tumbled down; 
The chosen tril)es of royal birth 
Were scattered to the winds of earth ; 
ISTo power they have that they might quell 
The vengeance which upon them fell. 
This is a mystery good and strong, 
That Jesus leads the world along, 
"^riiis does the wonder only prove, 
Through Jesus Christ we upward move. 
Brave Titus would rebuild again. 
The sacred tenii)h' was wrapped in flame. 
The ])ower uns(^eii, the TTolv Ohost, 
Resented the uiibelie\iiig host. 
(rod, we ])rav to thec^ on higli. 
Who ruletb eai'th and air and sky. 
To enter in the hearts of men. 
That thi'v mav see theii' woeful sin. 
We pray to thee, most nohh' One, 
And banish gods of wood and stone. 



44 Autumn Roses. 



The laAV of Moses brings to me 
A Prince upon the sad cross-tree. 
His scepter set aside the old 
Wlien lie the pi'0])luH'y had rullilled. 
There then anyx'ared for you and me 
The perfect law of lihertv. 
The Gentile glories in Itclicr; 
Tliroiigli Chiist his soul lias gained relie 
It is the nol)h:^, "|)errect |ilaii 
To save tlie ])eiiiteiii soul of man. 
It climbs by deeds along ilie way; 
The ladder is l)nilded dav hy dav ; 
And those who would flie pi'i/.e pi'ocure 
Thi'ough Mary's Son are most secui'c. 
A halo round about him shone 
From Clod the Fathei' on the throne. 
Forgive them all." he moaning said ; 
All treml)led as they saw him dead. 
A wailing bird \\\\\\ (dea\ing l)ill 
Pulled at the haggard driven nail. 
It cheered the Master till the last. 
His blood still stains its heaving breast. 
The mob in trembling armor leaves. 
The Christ was crucified with thieves. 
They shuddered dn a veil of tears; 
The quaking earth increased their fears. 
And there amidst the din and gloom 
His followei's laid him in the t(mil). 
The bold centurion guarding stood. 
They fell into a sleeping mood. 



The Perfect Law of Liberty 45 

The angels 'round in vespers play; 
They rolled the heavy stone aw^ay. 
The soldiers standing there asleep 
Could not the precious Savior keep ; 
But Mary and Martha, full of love, 
Saw in a cloud his form above. 
And near at hand he hailed a brother : 
" Touch me not till I see the Father." 
There in the mount, Peter, James, and John 
Transfigured saw his spirit form ; 
And then appeared by strange device 
The sainted Moses and Elias, 
According to the written law\ 
The inference here we easy draw : 
A point of truth it establishes 
By oath of three good witnesses. 
This was the custom of the Jew. 
The scribes then took another view. 
The Christ imuiortal moved al)()ve. 
Where still in radiance shines liis love. 
The only power that can reprieve 
The weary souls that do Ijclieve. 
By forceful power man is not driven. 
But love dotli lead him on to heaven. 
The Israelites stood by the ark, 
The covenant in it seemed to rock. 
Then ITzzah'>, hand the ark would stay : 
Cod struck him dead that vci'y day. 
And even Da\id felt afraid. 
The burden then upon him laid. 



4() Autumn Roses. 



The Levite lield the law of stone, 

The sacred book they passed upon. 

But God through change did then ai)i)rnve 

And sent his Son of perfect love. 

The ark for Israel lost its power ; 

N'ebuchadnezzar destroyed its flower. 

From that far day they traveled forth 

To every qiiarter of the earth. 

Wise, but weak, they ever mourn, 

The chosen of their priestage shorn. 

Through Christ is only peace and love ; 

His life was like the irised dove. 

The seven-colored arch we see 

Speaks of the Lamb of mystery. 

The fairies by this bridge alone 

Say : '' Come, ye weary wanderer, come ! " 

The soul so pure and snowy white 

Moves from its house and out of sight. ' 

THE CITY VOICE. 

(Written for the City Voice, of RushviUe, Ind., on its advent into the world; 
February 5, 1906.) 

Hearken, ye nobles, to the cry, 

And clear the mists away ; 
The star that pierces the vacant eye 

Melts in the light of day. 
Come join the clan of power and push 

And cheer the City Voice ; 
Eecord thy name, avoid the rush. 

And make a noble choice. 



Coasting at Schooi,. 47 

Tlie pen that savs the sweetest tilings 

Will live from year to year; 
M'lio liand tliat tones diseordant striii,us 

Sootlies many a ionoiiiii' ear. 
So let the clean and newsy sheet 

S])eak plain the perfect truth, 
Tliat all may aid and gladly greet — 

The aged and the youth. 

IT]i1)raid the loathsome tilings yon see, 

And seek to lay them hare; 
In ]iaragons we all agree, 

Eespect is shown the fair. 
The false and fickle we exiwse, 

The people deem it good ; 
Go seek the adder in repose. 

The octopus in hood. 

COASTING AT SCHOOL. 

Tlie snow is falling thick and fast; 

It turns and turns, so soft and white; 
It fills the cold and winti'y blast, 

And veils the day from morn till night. 
The schoolboy in his romp and ]3lay 
Is hay)]3y all the livelong day. 

'J'he earth is robed in winter's dress. 

The tinkling bells pass to and fro. 
The youthful lad and lass caress 

And down the coasting hill they go. 



48 



Autumn Roses. 




COASTING AT SCHOOI,. 



There is no joy on earth so fine; 
It is a pleasure most divine. 

Cay hoys and oirls coast down the hill. 
With throhhino; pnlse and ardor full ; 

Children of mirth with freedom's Avill, 
They at the tetlier tng and pnll. 

They know not of the toil and strife 

That they may meet in aftei- life. 

These yonthfnl lovers fair to see 

Coast with the darling that thev love; 

Their hea.rts are fiill of jollity 

As cooino- hirds tliat charm ilic urove. 

In this fair haven 1 would rest; 

tSuch joy could it forever last! 



A JNIvsTic Strkam. 49 

TIr'V toil. J)ut wlint is (oil io tiu'in. 
When lii'(' is full of cliccr and I'lm ? 

Tliev oiiwai'd iiionc I lie ii<lc to siom ; 
Tlius cliildliood's I'iU'o is pvor run. 

Alas, alas ! Tliev older <iTo\v, 

Their heads are silvered as the snow. 

Through time we turn and Ijaekward look. 

We see the schoolhouse on the hill ; 
I'here sit they all. with slate and book; 

The master's voiee I hear as well. 
Alas, alas ! These joyful scenes, 
They seem as shadows born of dreams. 

W^e to another school incline. 

Where light and li le are always free ; 

The music and the vesper chime 
Are echoes of the life to be. 

The King of hosts we there obey, 

Our books and charts are laid away. 

January :?(', ISiuo. 

A MYSTIC STREAM. 

The little brook goes ri])pling by. 

And glimmers in the sun ; 
The light of day with l)rilliant eye 

For ages on it shone. 
Along its brink the pretty flowers 

Are mirrored in the surf. 
As golden shadows of the stars 
That shine above the earth. 



50 Autumn Roshs. 



Tlio littlo stivani is like a cliild 

That <;i"()ws in iii^lit and love: 
In l)al]ny si)rin,i!,- 'tis flowinsi,' wild 

As childi'cii ,ii"aylY iikuo. 
'riio jilowino- sunslniic''s slantiiv ray 

Brings forth the shiniufi" gold ; 
Briti'lit aii'y l)iil)bk's on it yday 

In bcanty manifold. 

The osiers standing by the pool 

Ecfleel their silver sheen ; 
Fair downy lilossoms white as wool 

Are o-lowino- in the stream. 
Sweet childliood in its joyfnl time 

x\s rivulets exjiand ; 
It moves toward a wanner clime. 

And seeks a faii'er land. 

The swelling brook and river meet, 

And move toward the sea; 
The maiden and the lover greet, 

Sweet ties of unity. 
Tliey onward ni(>\(' as rivers How, 

Xl'W impulse they iiupart; 
Fair ))rookk'ts join the tidal flow, 

And swell the hnnum heart. 

r.et e'er tlie tie of perfect Ioa'C 
^l()\e gi'acefnlly as the stream ; 

Theic c\('i- shines a light above. 
Though invstic it may seem. 



Chanticleer. nl 



The sacred iic of maiden fail- 
Divorced slididd liexci- he. 

One soul in liond of iiniim are 
r>ut twain in mysiery. 

God made the llowini;' i-i\crs I'un. 

Majestic, calm, and free; 
He gave the ])recious <i-olden sini 

A light for yon and me. 
Sweet is the pretty blooming flower. 

The charming little maid ; 
Her impulse moves in every s])here — 

Great is the hand of God ! 

February 8, 1900. 

CPTANTIOLEEE. 

chanticleer ! ( ) chanticleer ! 

Sweet sounds thy i)ii)ing horn. 
Thy yodel says tlu- day is near, 

It sounds apiiroaeliing morn. 

Thy neck is eui-\(HL thy hosom swells 
To give the bugle sound ; 

Thy consorts gay in feather frills 
Stand near thee on the ground. 

Sweet is thv life on hill and dale, 
Thou hast no selfish greed ; 

With busy feet thou seekest food. 
Th^■ harem for to feed. 



52 



Autumn Roses. 



Again thy clarion sounding clear 
Cheers many a lovely lass; 

The mother bird with brood of young 
Feeds on the tender grass. 




CHANTICLEER. 



Thou art a monarch gayly plnmed. 
Adorned bv ISTature's skill ; 

Two laci'like streamers floating free 
Adorn thv handsome tail. 



ThK EIvMORK Al'TOMOBII^E. 58 

A gallant knight in armor dressed 
Made not so great ado. 
'■ J\lv harcni is my only tvnst — 
(V)c-k-a-flo<iill('-(l()(> ! 

'' Once in a distant cliiiic al'ai' 
I crew ill liol\- mass ; 
St. Peter ill thai aw I'liI lnuii- 
Denic(l i he sncrcd ci-oss. 

"And still I iiiii ;i incssciigci'. 
( ii\ iiig ix'oplc wiiniiiig. 
As in thai dislniit , d isiiial dny 
i tell tlic day is dawning. 

"When on the perch 1 eliaiiee to crow, 
Herahls lliink me dreaming: 
A secret jxnver L do not know 
Says the air is changing.'' 

God speaks to nmn in many ways, 
Dnml) creatines are discerning; 

'^Jlie mystic scenes like .lacoli's dream 
Outwit the sage ol' learning. 

l^'chruary 9, 1SI07. 

THE EL:\roRp] AUTo:^LOP,n;E. 

Ho ! There comes the fleeting Elmore. 

It nimbly bears its load. 
You'll lag along the way no more. 

It skims the dnsty road. 



54 Autumn Roses. 



Its impulse throbbing in its cell, 
Yon ]nill tlie leaver strong, 

And then, as if by magic spell, 
Yon swiftly glide along. 

How gay and joyf nl all must "bo 

AYho 7'ide a car like this ! 
As Inrds that sail alcove the sea,. 

It moves in perfect bliss. 

Eli jail i]i his cart of fire 

xl secret message took. 
'J'he Elmore would such fame aspire- 

'Tis modeled from the Book. 

You move with ease in smiles of love. 
The lass the love must make ; 

She will in kindest Avords ap])r(ne, 
And love you for its sake. 

She knows no harm is ever near. 
Swift glides the sailing car. 

A wingless bird it does a])i»eai'. 
It moves without a jar. 

As freely as the air that moves 

We speed along to-day. 
Sweet incense of the balmy gi-oves 

We breathe and ])ass our way. 



Robert Burns. 55 



So let lis in this joyful mood 
Enjoy the things we see, 

God made tlie cheerful and the good. 
That we might happy he. 

Fcluuaiv U, I'.tDli. 



i^OBEirr r.ih'xs. 

Deal' Iiol)ert Burns, fair ehihl of I<i\h', 

The sweetest flower of Scotia's \ale; 
Thy strains of joy still onward move. 

They murmur in each llighland gale 
The woi-ld is riclier for thy life, 

lis uieck and tender coi'ils we fet'l ; 
The cotter and his l)onny wife 

Still pl\- the am-ient spinuing Avheel. 

Fail' child of nature, liumliU' Imi'ii. 
To plav the golden gilded lyre: 

It soothed the she])herd night and nioi'u 
Tn strains of love's celestial fire; 

.\nd Scotland's \-outh will e\('r siiiu' 
'i'liv songs of cheer antl fervent lays, 

Theii' voices clear with antliems ring- 
In sweet, melodious notes of i)raise. 

J''aii' maidens of the flowery stec]). 
The Highland lass of niodern davs, 

Fair as sweet Mary thou didst Aveep, 
Still love those primal modest ways. 



Autumn Rosks. 



Time's wheel of fate has chano;ed the scene ; 

'Die lover and tlio lass are gone; 
The tangled grass grows o'er them green, 

'^[''he ]n]grim seeks their silent honu'. 

One only path amidst the throng 

Leads to their peaceful, silent graves, 
Wliere Marv, modest, meek, and young, 

Slee])s ])(>aeefuny 'neath tlie grassy waves: 
And farther on by the path is found 

The toml) of Burns o'ergrown w itii moss 
'^^rhe stranger sto])s l)eside liis mound. 

licflects, and feels the nation's loss. 

M'ild hi'and)]es hitU' the tond)s around. 

Forsaken seems tlio lonely spot; 
But Burns has made it holy ground. 

The nations will forget him not. 
Sweet child of nature, Scotia's son. 

No tro]3hied stone e'er l)ore liis name: 
But when old England's race is run. 

He'll crown lier lofty towci' of fame. 

His presence and his power we feel, 

The tidal wave sweeps o'er the land; 
Though vastness may around us steal. 

We feel the magic of his hand. 
AV'ith freedom's love he ]3assed away. 

He loved the blooming fields and shore; 
Beloved l)y all, he lives to-day. 

He sjieaks in eltoiccst tlienies of love. 



A MoiiNTATN Lass. 57 

Fair natiire called too soon the man 

Whom Scotland would her honors jiivc; 
He so inspired his native clan 

That all Avill hotter, nohler live. 
'V\]v iin])ulse of his noble art 

Has cast on Nature's fleeting- winiis 
Idyls, emotions of the heart ; 

We still l)('li()Iil him as he siii<;-s. 

Kehniaiy '-'o, lilDC. 



A .MOIX'IWIX LASS. 

Near a castle lived a jjeasant 

In his quiet, modest home : 
And Ins dau<i,hte)'. meek' ami pleasant. 

1j(»\c(1 the hillsides fair to I'i'am. 
And al»o\(' them towered the mduntain. 

Willi its wreaths of \clvet green : 
There a wellinii- little ruuntain" 

Foi'ined the ])urlin,ii' moiiidain stream- 
li()llin<i- and tossino-, 
Ikipplinp- and frotliing. 
O'er ledges of stone 
Onward to its home. 



Thei'c the maiden grew in beauty 
As the flowers that bud and bloom. 

Moving graceful to her duty. 

Breathing nature's sweet perfume. 



Ai^TTTMN Roses. 

Lo, a pil<irim came to wander 

O'er tlie balmy mountain hills. 
And his mind in trance and wondei' 
Saw the tlovvin,u-, sparklino- rills — 
Gleaming- and shining-, 
Ba])l)lino- and murm'ring, 
Dashing- and moaning, 
Ensiling and foaming. 

'riici'e a cottage spied he. gazing 
U]) the lovely mountain sti'ep. 
Scene of wonder so amazing — 
Was lie dreaming or aslee])? 
I*eering tlirough the o))en casement 

Was a lovely maiden fair; 
Day of sunshine, air effulgent. 
Streaming was her golden hair — 
Love was entwining, 
Tlie maiiK'U reclining; 
She charmed the fair knight 
Instantly, outright. 

Ivlitli, l()\elv little hoiden 

(Moved he then to her so dear). 
Damask cheeks with smiles o'er laden. 
Spake he softly, hut in fear : 
•' Is this thy home, dear little lady? 'I 

Bowing with a graceful smile. 
'^ j\ry father holds the title only, 
Stoi) and rest Ihvsclf a while." 




A MOUNTAIN UASS. 



(50 Autumn Roses. 



She coy and laughing-. 
Wooing- and resting. 
Longing and loving. 
Passively wond'ring. 

Birds were singing with sweet voices, 

Cooing as with kindly word; 
Lovely were the sweet caresses 
Of the maiden and the lord. 
" Please, kind lady, let ns ranihle 
By ihc litilo si]\t'r stream.'' 
Bliisliing llower and laden l)raiuhle 
Lent their beauty to tlie scene. 
And lovely traces 
Lined their sweet faces, 
Glowiiig more sweetly. 
Showing love comjdetely. 

Crowned Avere many ]:)retty bushes 

With the trailing ])ur])le vine; 
Sweetly sang tlie mated thrushes 

As he whispe^red : '" Love, be mine." 
Dazzled l)y his charming nature 

Cupid moved her heart in ))liss; 
Edith, lovely little creature. 

Paltered with a solemn " Yes." 
In glow of sunshine 
Two creatures divine 
There had met at last 
As fair doves that nest. 



A Mountain Lass. fil 



Arthur led her to her mother, 
Wliere ^^he kindly ,i:avc eoiiseiit : 
■^'ri-cat my (laii^uiitcr as a hrotliev." 
" Bless tlie Lord, I will.", 'riicii lie wcnl 
To liis father's lordly castle. 
Where his heart he did relate: 
"A hiss below my rank and mettle 
] have chosen for a mate." 
Stormino- and raoin*!-. 
With threats amazing, 
The knig-lit did recant — 
A solemn lament. 

Editli loved the hills and flowers 

AVhere the lambkins dance and play ; 
There she spent her ha]ipy hours 

In the halmy lig^ht of May. 
But fair Arthur set her dreamino-, 

Longing for his love again ; 
81ie was not herself, but seeming 
Visions came to haunt lier brain. 
Would Arthur, charming, 
Come in tiie morning? 
Her heart was a void 
For the galkmt lord. 

'J'hen Arthur pleadt'd Avith his father. 

But his suit was e'er denied ; 
He should then still love another. 

Who Avas full of galling i)ride. 



62 Autumn Roses. 

So tlir cliicrtian of ilic maiidi' 

Soii^iit ;i ]{)\c niiilcli for the Innl, 
And ilic li.'Hiiilil y, llii'tin^ 'I'aiiiar 
A\"as Ihc clioscn little priuk'. 
Broakiii^ii' and rending, 
Eank was abetting ; 
Wooiiio- a liell dame. 
Addling his brain. 

Yet fair Edith still was waiting 

For the gleaming harvest moon. 
And lier heart Avas slowly In-eaking 

In her agonizing gloom. 
As a seer amidst the forest. 

Cliff and pine sang woeful tnnes. 
And in them she had heard rehearsed 
Splenni strains like distant rmn^s. 
Playing on the lyre 
Doleful tnnes in air, 
She mourned fair Arthur. 
Her trnant lover. 

Omens as a boding token 

Perched upon the mountain clitf. 
And her heart grew weak, forsaken, 

Pierced by pangs that love had left. 
Perched they in the golden twilight. 

In the noontide^ oi' her love, ■ 
Clothed in mystic scenic light. 

Pointing to that realm above, 



A Mountain Lass. 63 



Glcaminji- and shininc,', 
Editli Topiniiiu- 
tSorrowfiil alone. 
AA'ould he ever I'onir ? 

From St. rxTuard l)i'lls cliinKMl ;dond 

O'er tlio moaning- inoiintaiii- side. 
Throii*i]i tlie clunigiiiii' rift and cloud 

She could see the scra])hs lilide. 
Weddiiii;' l)ells that seemed to sav: 

''Arthur mnv is false to thee; 
Thou wilt pine thy life awav ; 
Tjct thy God thy conifoi-t l)e."' 
Trustin'fif, believino-; 
Man is deceivino-; 
Hearts broken in love 
Are angels above. 

A herald came for Edith fair 

With news of woe breaking the tie. 
The chief had said in sullen air : 
'' Eather than wed thee, Arthur shall die ! " 
The blow was enough ; she fainted and fell ; 

She swooned, with hands cleaving her breast. 
She s|)oke no word; her voice was still; 
The valh'v of death her soul had crossed. 
An angel of light 
In I'ohe of ])nre Avhite ; 
Sir Arthur was wild 
With grief of a child. 



64 Autumn Roses. 



A\'t>('riil (Iri'ani.s o'cM'sliadowcd the loi'd ; 

lie wandered straii^vlv and alone. 
lie seeredy nnirniiired to liis (iod : 
" () Fatlier, take me ti'diii this ci'oiie ! '' 
'riie sv]])lis of the air ho\ered near. 

Tliev drew at his l)reat]i as lie swooned. 
Asleep he lay upon liis hicr, 

The immortal soul Avas homewai'd hound 
To meet the fair Edith. 
Passed the fleetin,!;- l)reath 
To heaven above. 
Heartbroken in love. 

The sevei'ed ehaiii tlie chief eoidd see. 

Stricken in heart ajid ]ienitent. 
He saw in fate his destiny. 

Visions strange his licart liad rent. 
To God he looked ajid bowed he there. 
His only son ; his line woidd cease. 
He moaned and grieved in s(demii ))i'ayer, 
Trusting in lio])e, he jdead for ]X'aee. 
At the judgment bar, 
On his aerial car, 
Wonld he stand the test 
AVith the good and blessM ? 

Maich l.S, initf.. 



The Sweet. Fair Maids of Buti.br. 



HE 8\VEET. FAIR ^\AW^ OF BUTLER. 

Fair (laiiisels stri\inii- all the while 

With faces wai'iii with cheer. 
Wake lip the world withsiinnv smile 

And banish gloom and fear: 
The world is better far by her. 

The charmino- lass of Bntler. 

The morning's ii'low is on her cheeks. 

The day does seem moi'e fair : 
The Yiro'in ■Mary's charm she keeps. 

Bright gleams her golden hair. 
May womanhood with ardor stir 

From hiil^l)ling I'oiints of Rntler. 

Though Kve Iraiisgressed the law in trust. 

It only showed her meekness: 
She Ini'ed her master, made of dust. 

T(i many a Held of sweetness. 
The nation holds and clings to hei'. 

The fair, sweet maid of IWit ler. 

She rights the wi'ong and moves the race: 

.Man must hei- hiessings share. 
•I'lienations chant ■"The Ladies' Peace"" 

That stayed the title of wai-. 
In motherhood gi'cat mi mis will hear 

The hiessings taught at l>ntler. 



(i6 



ArTtTMN Rosp:s. 




THK SWKliT, FAIR MAIDS (»K lUTl.hK. 



The earthly shrine, the life to come. 

Is moved by angels fair: 
Sweet incense circles round a home 

Where motlicrs how in pi'ayei'. 
StroTif)- hearts are changetl, sin lieth l)are 

Before the maids of Butler. 



The Senate Grafters. 67 



They mold the future vast and deep. 
They mystic ways have trod. 

When valor fails, vi'hen strong men weep, 
They dream, converse with God ; 

They view, as Jacob, the golden stair. 
The fair, sweet maids of Butler. 

Xo light shines like a woman's love. 
There rests the Christian's care; 

And Christ, the Clolden Fount above. 
Moves by it everywhere. 

Eun on, sweet Fount; may wisdom stir 
The fair, sweet maids of Butk-r. 

ich'.'l, HtOf,. 



THE SEX ATE GRAFTERS. 

The Senate gratters try the pass 
Where Balaam traveled with liis ass; 
These grave, fell monsters, cute of words, 
Are posing as the nation's lords. 

Who ai'e they l)id a i-ailroad crowd? 
Haughty and sleek, they bray aloud. 
Void of feeling, with hearts of gall- 
Donkeys fed in a gilded stall. 

May Roosevelt, Avith his budding stick. 
Flail and pound their stiffened necks ; 
Hit hard the constitution note. 
Directly let the people vote. 



(58 AuTrMN' RosRS. 

ii'ates of railroads Ioiil; aMiorrcd 
But l\v •iricrser and i-n1ino- lord; 
Foioninii' Stc'])]u'n did less liai'iii. 
Av.(\ died with a lie oii li|)s as warm. 

Some freely take the nation's oath. 
Suspend it for rieh railroad hi'oth. 
Down with these triflers ! Clea.n the fen ! 
^[ake way for nohler. fmrer men. 

March 20, ISKMi. 

THE SPHTXGTniE OF LIFE. 

Fpon the hrink ] stood and looked 

Upon the flowing stream ; 
yiy mind flowed onward as the l)rook. 

Enchanting as a dream. 

Bright hubhles floated on the snrf : 
They took a pnr])le hue : 

The llowiiig stream went Itahhling forth. 
And passed the meadows through. 

Tlie maid that stood npon the l)ank 
And smiled in sunshine there 

llasgroMii to |.)erfi'ct womanhood. 
W'itli cni'is of golden hair. 

1 stood 1)V her in happy \dutli. 

And tdasped hei- hand in mine : 
We saw lieneath the rolling surf 

The stars of heaven shine. 




THE SPRINOTIMF, OH LIFK. 



70 Autumn Roses. 



The years have glided as the brook. 

To manhood I have orowii : 
The stream of time has s|)ed along; 

Tlie maiden, too, lias Mown. 

Fair child, slie smiled upon the stream. 
And viewed the landscape o'er ; 

Those youthful days are Imt a dream — 
Dear child, she is no more. 

]\ly mind recalls those hai)py lioui's. 

Life's sun is burning low ; 
My heart is full of those sweet charms 

Of youth so long ago. 

With time's I'eturnless tide 1 luoxc 

Along the golden strand; 
Tlie shades of night e'er draweth nigh. 

The goal is near at hand. 

Fair nieju'ry's 'page is growing dim. 

My eyes no more are bright ; 
There seems a secret whispering: 
"■ Embark ; it is the night." 



YOUTH A^D SUXSHIXE. 

Great Ceres tills the South wind full. 
And cheers tlie faint and weary soul : 
Ho' brings the waters from the main. 
And floods the dormant, sleeping plain. 



Youth and Suxshink. 71 

The lapsing rills then leap and flow. 
And onward to the rivers go : 
As down the slo])es they gently glide, 
They fill the heart with joy and pride. 

They turn the little flutter Avhecls 
By boA's constructed for the rills; 
It is of youth a happy spring, 
A\'li(')i all the hnds are blossoming. 

Xo fairt'r scenes, no greater joys, 
Can All the hearts of playful boys; 
The airy bubbles floating down 
Are rich in colors of the sun. 

Sweet little gii'ls A\illi flowing iuiir 
Join in the sport so I'lce I'l^oui eai'e; 
'riiey lo\e to wade the ti'pid lake. 
And from the imid their cruliers bake. 

Tliey seek the iiretty velvet moss. 
And play at store and keeping house; 
And numy a hull and aeorn shell 
^Jake fairy dishes vei'y well. 

Their sugar, too, is fairly good — 
The\- make it ei'iide of rotten wood : 
'I'hejr |)ie eriist. ti-inged. is xcry short. 
And somctinies fleeked fi'om \('llow dirt. 



Autumn Rosks. 



'^riic st()]'i('(l clock (II- |t;i|ici' scroll 
Is liuiiii' upon the playhouse wall: 
And coin of heaves they freely ,L!,'i\(', 
So all the niecchanlineii can li\e. 

They iniilale their sainte(l uia. 
( )l)ser\inM' strictest rules of law: 
'I'liis is a t\pe of childish Ionc 
IJedected si ill li'oni ( iod aho\<'. 

(iod makes the pleasaiit sun to shine, 
'j'he ehildi:-ii lieart is "most (li\ine: 
"'I'is |)ure as when it left the throne. 
Xo stain of e\ il it has known. 

laiiuai y ;>0. lilii.",. 

'rill-: UTTLK Wi.'KX. 

Sweet lilt le \\ I'en so ruil of .U'lee. 
I love ili\- soni;- and .jollity ; 
Come lend tin' \oice to mei'vy sprin^u'. 
Make sweel lh\ home with carolin.u'. 

We lo\(' th\' son,i:\ dear lovelv hii'd : 
No sweeter notes wei'e e\ei' heard : 
It soothes the heart to peace and i'<'st. 
It elieers ihe fondliivi^'s of th\- hi'casl. 

.\o sadness seems lo mar th\' lav. 
'rh\- ha|)py \()ice sinii's all the day: 
'['he bi'ooti that lies within thv nt'st 
Hv sW(>ctoi' sonu' were never blessed. 



The Little Wren. 



Thy kiiKlred. too. sino- fVoni tlioir tree 
We lo\c tliriii all. hut not as thee. 
Thv (|ui\('riii,i:- tliroat is full nf love. 
'I'hou scem'st a minstrel from ahove. 




THE WREN. 



Wlicn sorrow conios ni\ heart to lil 
'rh\ cheery song takes olT the >]n'\\ 
'V\]\ weh'nme voice can never die. 
Thou ai-t a ininsticl of llie >ky. 

I'ebiiKirv 1, mu. 



74 Autumn Rosks. 



FAITH,- HOPE. AXD C?TAEITY. 

Faitlv's charm is sweet in her repose 
As Ijloonis tlie fairest springtime rose 

In wood or del1. 
The o-leaming- sunshine sootlies to rest 
The heartaches of lier lovelv hreast, 

And all is well. 

Faith reposes in axlm and peace; 
From sorrow's taint sh(> iiiv(»s release 

In bliss above. 
Her profile faint, though to mind's eve 
There lies beyond the ]mr])le skv 

A throne of love. 

(i(»(| ill liis liaiiiliwork lias shown 
Great A\-on(U>rs by tlic which arc known 

The mystic way. 
The pretty floweret lives and dies, , 
Throws ott' its s])cll, and docs arise 

Another day. 

The symbol gives to Hope her joy, 
Ko skeptic doubt for mind's annoy, 

The true expressed ; 
The trusting heart in peace niav go. 
Arid by the present the future know 

The soul is blessed. 



Faith, Hope, and Charity. 75 

Hope is of mind made doubly sure 
By seeking God, the great and ]>ure, 

We of his trust ; 
The soul will as a planet shine, 
It leaves the mortal earthly frame 

Low in the dust. 



Hope lifts the soul from out the gloom 
The body molders hi the toiid) 

'Xeath mound of earth. 
Xo gloaming shadow shrouds the soul, 
In majesty it nears the goal 

In the new l)irth. 



Through faith and hn|)c and chai'ity 
The light of heaven we faintly sec. 

And home above; 
To clothe the sick and feed the i)oor 
Will leave ajar great heaven's door. 

Whose tie is love. 



You saw the fairest summer flower 
Cast off its 1)looiu in summer hour. 

In sunny noon. 
In tills fair ligurc all mav see 
A syud)ol of futurity 

Beyond the tomb. 



76 AuTiMN Roses. 

(Joil takes us in liis s;ut(mI euro. 
M(? sees his eliiidi'cn cxci'vwlK'rc. 

AikI all thev do. 
\'()[\ cannot i^ixc. tlioiiuii it lie small ; 
The .Master is I'ecordin.u- all 

The life of von. 

And when IJ i'e's hook is closed a1 last. 
I'^iitli. hope, and charity in the \ asl 

Atone for sin. 
A secret messenger conies thy way. 
lie di-aws thy hi'eath and Hits away. 

Come, eiitei' in. 



AN Ol'TINi;. 

As we wandei' in the forest, 
\ iewin^' nature at our ease, 

There the lo\cly little thrushes 
Sini; tlieii' sweetest melodies. 

Tiiei'e the nan,iiht\- little ■" chi,Ui>ei-s 
Lie in wait and watch a eateh. 

.Ml our jov is turned to sori'ow. 
.\s in pain we wi'ithe and scratcl 

No\\ the ureen sward is t)ui' eottaiie 

It is projx'r. it is (it ; 
i)ut the niidoets that annoy us 

Do not let us rest a hit. 



The River. 

Aiifl the fail- one. coy and lovelw 
Sucli a^i kiiias have ever o-raced. 

Ke'('})8 tier lino'cfs owv tu_i>'o-ino- 
At tlie band ahout her waist. 

We can feci the liitc of insects 
Thai are hidden to the eye. 

How they seav and chafe the armpit ! 
And we wee]) and writhe and siuii. 

All our hopes lie in the frost wave 
That will turn the forest red. 

OVr the hills we then can ramble, 
A^'hen the scarlet liends are dead. 

Peace and Joy abound in autumn. 

A\'ith the MT.odland turned to oold. 
There as children we can ramble, 

I'lioiigh l)y iiatnre we are old. 

As the ])assin,iJ' of the fi'ost wave. 

We ai'c nioviuu' ev'ry day 
To a country that is faii'ci-. 

Where- in joy we livt' foi- aye. 

.September ■>. ISIOT. 



THE RIVER. 

As I stood beside the i'i\-er 

And 1 looked upon the stream. 

I beheld the stars of heaven 
In the waters brio-htlv oleam. 



78 



Autumn Roses. 



I'ale tlie luuou was dimly glowing' 
hi her rays of silver light; 

And it banished thoughts of sorrow 
/\s hci' face lit ivp 1lie nigh1. 




-^H' 




■ #-'f'r 



THK RIVKR. 



FaiiU and fainter grew the shadows 
'^riiat lie dark across the bar, 

Like the shadows of reflection 

Worn ))v time's fast-fleeting hour. 



Thk River. 79 

Tliouglits oi cliJldhuud tliei'e eanie o'er nic 

As I viewed the hap])y scene; 
.\iid I stood ill oiooiu of shadow. 

As the s])ect('r of a dn^am. 

Far removed from that fair statiou 
Where the sweetest blessings 'come, 

AiS the river f I'oni its fountain, 
I liave waiKh'rcd from mv liome. 

()■(•!■ the iiiiiid liicrc comes retieetioii. 

Ami I \ icw till" st-cne once moi'c. 
lAkv the waves upnii the riv'ei-. 

( '(inic iii\' kiiidrcil to the door. 

1 can see mv sainted iiKjther 

As she bowed her liead in pi-ayer. 
And oui- kind and loving father 

Knelt with all the liousebold tliere. 

How my heart now yearns witliin me 

For tiie sluidows of my dream ! 
And my eyes are full and iiowing, 

As the cnrrent of the stream. 

In old age it is a blessing. 

As reverts fair mem'ry's scroll, 
And we view the fading fireside 

Of M fain'lv circle whole. 



HO Autumn Roses. 



But tlie niill of time is u'rindinu'. 

And the specters on the wall 
Tlave I)een waning in the Piroliglit, 

And the circle growing small. 

Thev have passed the carUiiy portals, 
Left the old house for the new. 

At a sweet and flowing fountain 
They in hope await for yon. 

They are lixing and immortal : 
As fair angels ])ass they o'er. 

Though the eye cannot behold them. 
They are round me evermore. 

hi iii\ dreams rhev nestle o'er me: 
Through the mystic veil of slee]). 

Ill a vision, 1 can t^ee them 
.\< the}- vigil closely keep. 

I lieheld the throne of glory 
.\Md the Fairest fount nl»o\e. 

W'lu're the angels sing in praises 
l-'oi' the Alastei' ill his love. 

May •-'•'), lUOf). 

• V\ IK) IS Ll'l^rLK IfOSY XKl.L? 

Who is little Wosy N'ell? 

Does anvhody know 
Who is little K'osv Xell? 

1 once did lo\'e lu'r so. 



Sleep. si 



She is very taciturn. 
The dainty little thing. 

Many tried her ways to leani, 
Hnt learned not anything. 

You have seen juy IJosy Nell; 

She loitered hy the way. 
S^N'eet and charming- as a belle. 

Yon kissed her twice to-day. 

You have stolen Eosv iSTell. 

How conld it ever he? 
She now adorns thy lapel ; 

She is no more to me. 



S1;EEP. 

Sleep steals upon my weary frame; 

]\ry labors then are o'er. 
The shades of night e'er draweth nigh 
■ My vigor to restore. 

That calm by which we gain repose 

When earth to ns is still 
Closes tlie windows of the son], 

Though fevered pulses thrill. 

Tiie mind, with all its wondrous charms, 

Ones gi'oping in its flight. 
It soars beyond the eye of man,* 

And brings immortal light. 

7 



Autumn Roses. 



The throne of (tocI is so revealed. 

And, pictured tliere in ,2,looni, 
The faint footfalls of Hini who mik's 

Move lightl}^ through my I'ooin. 

And as the pale light of the moon 
Sweet sleeps upon the stream. 

The shades of sorrow fill my heart 
As specters of a dream. 

The eye we close, though still we see 
. As through an open door, 
As Jolin the revelator saw 
Fi'om Patmos long of yore. 

"Sleep wc will as Lazarus sle])i. 

The heart feel sad and sore. 
There lies a !io]je in lli]n above 

\\\\o life can e"er restore. 

Cxod gave his Son frum hea\-en's thi'one 

A mortal form took he. 
lie l)roaght the golden legend down 

To sti-engtlien vou and -nu'. 

Tlie sti'eaiii (d life lies all in hope; 

Through Jesus wt' must learn. 
The waves'that leave a golden foimt 
Wdl soou aiiain return. 



The American Navy. *^3 



Tiic firavc is hut a little span 
Ol' fear and tiarkiiess liiveii. 

Tt leads to .ylorv and to li,e,-ht — 
The light of (led in heavcjn. 

P'ehruary 13, 190.i. 



THE AArERTCAN" NAYY. 

Out navv rides llie oeean fleep. 

Nor fears not any foe. 
She rides the l)il:o\vs high and stee]i. 

Wherever slu; may go. 
Our flag goes floating o'ei- the seas 

Along the golden sti'and. 
Our sails are fllled in ev'ry hreeze ; 

Our heroes fearless stand. 

She stands for all that's good and true: 

She fears no gallant trip. 
Tier slogan nohle Perry knew : 
"■ Boys, don't give up the ship ! " 
The watchAvord ran the vessel o'er, 

And thrilled was every heart. 
They onward pushed the hattle more; 

Xo Briton eould depart. 

Brave LaM-rence fell upon his deck, 

B>ul ne\ei- fell in vain. 
His w ateliword ;dl w ill ret-oUect 

\\']\o ride the flowing main. 



84 Autumn Roses. 



He lives to-day as long of yore; 

His name, 'twill never die. 
As seamen g-lide from shore to shore, 

They hear his battle cry. 

We seek no strife npon the sea, 

But freedom's rioht maintain. 
\Vo float the flag of liberty 

Athwart the bounding main. 
Brave Schley was foremost in the tiglit 

Where fell the flower of Spain. 
He fought as ever gallant knight 

FJc'Y fought upon the plain. 

And Dewey sailed the balmy tide 

To that far-distant shore. 
His guns rang out on Spanish pride; 

Their fleet, it was no more. 
We boast no power but inward lies, 

The brotherhood of man. 
The golden link, that sacred tie. 

It leads the thrilling van. 

Our fathers met the greatest foe 

That ever plowed the waves. 
Then shrieked the battle tide of woe ; 

The foe sank in their graves. 
The sons are brave as sires that stood 

11ie test at Bunker Hill. 
'J'hey breasted battle's rage and Hood ; 

Their blood flows onward still. 



The Amkkican Nav\-. 85 

No pirate cre-w e'er came witli ease 

Along America's shore. 
They fear our cannon symphonies 

That flood their decks with gore. 
The inurrn'ring shell moves as a hroatli 

Or winds that hreathe a sigh; 
They leave a chill tliat speaks of death, 

As dark shades fill the eve. 



Inherent lies the only power 

Our seamen all approve. 
'J'hey would meet death that dreadfid hou: 

For freedom which tliey love. 
Bi-ave Jasper held the hanner bright 

Above the shattered wall; 
In his brave hand he held aright 

'^I'he banner of ns all. 

'J'lius America great has grown, 

A nation for the right. 
l)avid Farragiit and Paul Jones 

Stood foremost in the fight. 
They no trophies need of stone 

Storied for the curious eye; 
They are living in each liome^ — 

Deeds of heroes never die. 

February 17, 190.^. 



8() Al'TUMN koSKS. 



GENERAL WALLACE. 

(THE BELOVED OF ALL.) 

No more is lio-ht in those dark oyes 
We once so Jovecl to greet. 

A a'iant oft in modest guise, 
lie moved along the street. 

A hero, as a gallant knight 
Whose fame is handed down, 

11 is sword and pen both gleam alike 
From times of world renown. 

A lierald of the peojile loved. 

He clindied the rugged hill. 
With steady hand Ik; livo^d and iiKivcd : 

He lived ill ai'i and skill. 

I'xdovcd of all in his great heart, 

lie held tb.e people dear. 
Although his mortal life depai't, 

Ijis spirit lingers near. 

As one tiiat strengthened Moses' hand 
in that far-distant hour. 

He, too, has shown an ai'tl'ul hand 
And left a lovely flower. 

lie is not dead. The living s])ark 
Til at dwelt within the olay 

lias left the mortal, fragile hark 
And Mown to God awa\'. 

February '-'O, lyo.'i. 



Acrostic. — The Country Cluk. 87 

ACEOSTIC. 

Jov it is to wander olT from homo 

O'er meadow lawns in rjiiest of ease. 
Housed and kept where stranoei-s roam. 

Xovelt}' charms away disease. 
How oft we hear tlie itinerants tell 

T^nto their friends so true and dear 
The things that to their lot befell I 

Can they reveal without a tear? 
Have they not hearts with purest love 

Jn which endearments rise and swell? 
Some inward feeling from above 

()"ercomes the heart with magic spell. 
New hopes they have may (rod approve. 

March lo, liur,, 

THE COUNTED CLI^B. 

At the club, at the club. 
There is spread a feast of grub 

KMeh and rare. 
There the fishes in their play 
Pass the fleeting hours away 

IJnaAvare. 

There the trout, there the Iroul. 
Dart aroimd and w heel ahout 

Like a sail. 
'Inhere they nest like feathered rooks 
la their village of the brooks 

From the gale. 



88 ArTTMN RosKS. 



Lovely scenes, lovely scenes, 
All amidst the evergreens, 

Filled witli l)alm. 
The rolliuo; tide of time moves by. 
Like the clouds that sail the sky, 

Sv^'eet and calm. 



The water ram. the water ram, 
Movino' with a slam and jam 

Manifold. 
Sweet the chiming of the rings 
As they move the flow of springs 

Pure and cold. 



On the dales, on the dales, 
We can tell our pleasing tales 

Over there. 
how sweet, how sweet, 
In this pleasant, rich retreat. 

Void of care ! 



From the town, from the town, 
Come the weary, laden down 

For to play. 
In the golf game they will go 
For a joyful hour or so 

Of the dav. 



Thk Scknks of May. Si) 

Happy tliou^ulit. lia|i|)y thoup-ht, 
Wiien our labor it is not 

On tlie mind. 
Free from all the woes of care, 
jSTature's flowers are blooinino,- there, 

Rare to find. 

. Joy and love, joy and love. 
Siieli as reign in fields above 

At life's stream. 
From this ever-changing sight 
Wo retire as comes the night. 

And wc dream. 

August a. 5907. 

THE SCENES OF MAY. , 

The greenwood in the month of May 
Is decked v/ith buds and flowerets gay. 
Along the brook I love to stroll ; 
AVith warmth of heart it fills my soul. 
I view the myriad things in strife 
Go leaping into newer life; 
And, springing from fair Mother Earth. 
Her transient children come' peering forth. 

The gnome of nature in the soil 
Wakes np the dormant fields of toil. 
And Pan the pastures lure as w-ell 
On snnnv vale or cove or hill. , 



Autumn Rosks. 



Sweet iintnre sparkles in delio-lit: 
The Youthful spring of earth is hright. 
The ().\. I'clieved, walks from his stall ; 
ills heart is fi-en fi'oiii ))ri<(in wall. 




SCENES OF MAY, 



Fair children leap and joyons ])lay, 
lie fulgent in the halm (d' Mav. 
The ])lo\\|)oy. with his team and eur, 
Walks out as proud as Lucifer. 



The Scknks ov May. 

Ho plods the furrow in the field, 
Makino- it ready for its yield. 
TTo learns the mysteries of the soil — 
This little man, brioiit son of toil. 

The hope ol' all with joy ahonnd ; 
A song of clieer fills every sonnd ; 
The growing tree with life is full, 
As children of a hap|:)y school ; 
The haw tree by the l^ahlding hi-ook 
Takes on a ])retty wholesome look ; 
And Ijirds that sing and love to trill 
8weet echo from the field and hill. 

The sapsnck jerky scales his tree; 
lie looks for hugs and watches me. 
Tlie yellow-hammer, flitting by. 
Snaps u]) a lazy, buzzing fly; 
And in the field of greenest sward 
The little lambkin's voice is heard ; 
And if the milch cow lingers long, 
We hear tlx' hap])y milkmaid's song. 

Orpheus from his golden lyre 

Xi''er sounded swei'ter strains in air 

Than came from pasUire, mead, and str(^aiu^ 

A vision or a perfect dream. 

The svlphs before me seemed to fly. 

I saw them with my inward eye. 

It seemed a minstrel of the fays, 

A token of bright future days. 



92 AuTrMN RosKS. 



j'iie hinnnniig bird standi still iii air 
AboYe a little floweret fair; 
His uest, liard by iiyion a tree, 
TTauo's ])eiKlaiit foi' tbc youth to see. 
I'iie butterfly, in amorous strife 
Darts up and down buntino- his wife; 
Then round and round they flit and play. 
As lovers that steal thenisehes away. 

Tbe velvet l)ee eouies buuuuini;' o'er. 
Seeking of nectar for his store. 
His ways are qucei-. He si])s each flower 
As, swiunniug in air, be uial>:es his tour. 
Apollo, witb o()ldo]i, streaming hair. 
Gives life and beauty everywhere; 
And Jove sejuls forth bis forky spear 
Athwart tbe l)alniy ainiosphere. 

God gave bis minstrels tongue and ]:»en 
To calm tbc fevered pnlse of men. 
His wisdom mortal cannot see. 
He charms the sonl in mystery. 
The soul delights in magic show. 
And would tbe mighty wonders know. 
We bask in hope, await tbe call; 
The alchemist y^\]l prove us all. 

Spring warms the sluggish winter scenes 
To newer life, as swollen streams 
Swell in their groove and r\in away, 
As brooks that glide from showers of Mav. 



The Scexes of May. - 93 

It gives an irnpiilse to the heart 

To leave tlic husv city's mart 

And wander in the wholesoini" breeze — 

A bahii for sorrow and disease. 

Up rolls the iioldeii disk of day: 
His shafts of lioht make nature ^rx. 
The candle of the pnrple dome. 
The light of man's tervestr'al lionie. 
The Jiowers hhjshing with his hue. 
Bring heaven's coloj-s fair to view. 
They drink from earth and air and sky ; 
They charm the soul and jjlease the eye. 

Swei't sounds come forth unto my ear. 
The wind, it listeth everywhere. 
Bringing the sounds tliat thi'ill the soul. 
As voices from a distant goal. 
God has given these scenes sulilime 
As symbols of a world divine, 
Revolving round a central power, 
Where all await the inevitable hour. 

These youtlrful joys will soon subside. 
As sets the sun at eventide. 
He leaves a track of golden light 
That lingers far into the night. 
So let ns leave a ling'ring ray 
To light the trav'ler on his way. 
The light of hope, the spring of love. 
Leads unwai'd lo a houic above. 

February 28, 1905. 



94 Autumn Roses. 



ON EAETTI ^YE'LL MEP]T XO MOEE. 

'J'iine .slii'S away as down \hv stream 

Tlie wrecks of driftwood tiow. 
It elides as quiet as a dream 

Or A\inds that calinh^ blow. 
Its lengthened shadow touches all. 

As sands dvo]» in their score. 
We onward move to meet the i)all. 

On earth we'll iiu-et no moi'C. 

0, touch ns gently, gentle 'i^'ime. 

We children of thy ])ower ! 
There is at lieart a faint decline 

Of joy each passing houi-. 
Our life is short; we feel it wane. 

The heart feels sad and sore. 
We pass away ; dear friends remain. 

On earth we'll meet no more. 



Fair lovers meet and join their hands; 

A while they live in joy. 
They pass as pass the hour of sands. 

Sad thought, it does annoy. 
Sweet children bless the happy home, 

And play about our door. 
A .secri't summons soon will come. 

On earth we'll meet no more. 



On p:arth We'll INIekt no More. ^5 

The mother, fairer tliaii a roj^e. 

Will feel the heart's decline. 
Her pallid cheek will soon disclose 

The fleeting hour of time. 
ITer duties round liei' little cot 

She with her children hore. 
She mildly said: ■"' Forset me not." 

On earth we'll meet no moi'c. 

Time's finger touches youth and age 

T'he bloom of youth is sweet ; 
And through life's battle, storm, and rage 

There is no safe retreat. 
With hope we kindle up the fire 

That many a tempest bore. 
We from our labors soon retire. 

On earth we'll meet no more. 

Time's cycle moves the wheel of fate. 

By which we fall or rise. 
The golden age we trust and Avait 

The Pilot of the skies. 
We bid farewell to those we lo\e ; 

In tears we leave the shore. 
We hope to meet again above. 

On earth we'll meet no more. 

March ti, lltO.5. 



96 Autumn Roses. 



THE CETSTS OK 1893. 

0. when shall new pai'tics he ronucd ? 

In thes<> times ot' oppression and woe, 
When the rights of. tlic people are stormed. 

And p]atfo]-ms are nuulc for a show. 

Tlien sl)al1 the p(Mip|p rehel. 

And resent such iiiiriisioii of power 
Which changes a heaven to hell 

And causes the people to cower. 

Our taxes are all we c^an bear, 
• And interest is piling up high. 
The lord and the haron must share. 
Or new parties will come b}^ and by. 

Labor must have what is due — 
Our children are crying for bread. 

We want to be honest and true — 
Our children must surely be fed.' 

Our bodies are aching with pain, 

Our shoulders are drooping quite low, 

And virtue is driven to shame. 

God help us to strike the right blow. 

0. mammon, come lend us thy ear, 

Or accursed thou'lt be of the Lord. 
Form a code that is equal and fair. 
" 1 Am '" is a mei-ei liil ( Jod. 

August 1;'), 1,SS3. 



Youth, the Blooming Flowkr of Life. 97 



YOUTH, THE BLOOMING FLOWEK OF LIFE. 

Youth, tlie bloojTiini;- flower of life. 
Knows not of sorrow or of strife; 
80 let it be a rose of brilliant hue,. 
Nourished bv the moistenins; dew. 



No thorn should ever be upturned 
To pierce the heart and make it burn 
Ikit let it be in sweet repose. 
For of its value no one knows. 



The Lord hatli said to sturdy men : 
"' Children you must become again 
To enter into jov and peace, 
Tlie holy Idnii'dom where 1 am chief."" 

So let us swijeton evciw vn\) 
A\ hci'eof the cliilflren want to sup. 
And mingle .sym])atliA- w ith their cares, 
And bid them joy in all our prayers. 

O. drink, dear children, deep of truth ! 
The tree is formed in tender youth ; 
For as the morning shows tlif day. 
The youth, the iiiau. goes on his way. 

September 5, issi. 



Autumn Roses. 



ACROSTIC. 

Alas, my dearest homo! 

Long years have passed away, 
And sorrow seems to come. 

My light burns low to-day; 

Over the bar T stray. 

March Iti, 1905. 

A DEEAM. 

One night, as I lay sleeping, 
A vision came o'er my mind. 

1 saw as handsome a darling 
As ever the world can find. 

Her cheeks were ^arm and rosy ; 

She had a beautiful form. 
Bedecked so dainty and cozy — 

Her like has never been born. 

'Twas but a phantom, I fancy; 

It filled ray lieart with love — 
A child of necromancy, 

An angel of Ood above. 

■j'he scene I long to remember; 

And, waging warmer I ween, 
j\ly soul awoke from its slumber 

To view the nvmnli of m\- dream. 



WiNTKR vScENKS. 99 



How sad I But a s\\'oet i-ecollectioii — ■ 
Her image on mein'ry-s scroll. 

She lives a charm of reflection, 
A joy that ]ileases the so\\\. 

The world is full of sweet treasures ; 

The fountain of thought must he fed. 
We bask in the light of such pleasures 

i\s visions of those that are fled. 

November 23, 1891. 

WINTER SCENES. 

When tlie frost is on the fences 
And the snow is to my frock, 

There the arctic line commences, 
And 1 have to lieat a rock 

For to warm my feeble pulses, 
For my blood is running slow, 

And my heart is near collapsing. 
As Fm gliding o'er the snow. 

Then I sought my little lassie. 

And you ought have heard iier laugh 

As I often tried to kiss her 

Through my frosty, curled mustache. 

Tlien 1 phiced my arm around her 
Just above her slender waist; 

And she drew the i-eins the tighter, 
Thougii she thought me out of place. 



100 Autumn Roses. 



Then she cracked the whip on Dobbin, 
And it seemed so very strange 

''J^'hat the time would pass so quickly. 
And we reached her father's grange. 

Then we went into the parlor. 
Where it was so nice and warm ; 

And the kisses that she gave me 
Were so magic, like a charm. 

Then 1 raised her golden bracelet, 
Bright as sparkles on a vine; 

And her pulses beat more freely 
As they echoed unto mine. 

Then I pouched my moutli a little, 

As she placed her lips to mine; 
And she answered by her kisses : 
" Love, 1 am forever thine." 

Then our hearts struck wp a chorus 
As they never beat before, 

And I led her from the parlor 
As juy only love, Lenore. 

February L'2, 1904. 



vSt. Cecilia. 101 

ST. CECILIA. 

(Written for an entertainment at Indianapolis, February l;i. 19(1-1.) 

St. Cecilia, pure and stronji'. 

Was of tlie noble few 
A\'bo stood the test and suffered long-, 

x^s Christian martyrs do. 

She would not hearlcen to the o-ods 

or wood and iron and stone; 
A faithful follower of the Lord 

That calls his children liome. 

Thouoh tempted by the threats of men 

To lie and mock throuo;h fear, 
Her hope was in the Son of man, 

Who guides this mundane sphere. 

She Avould not yield. She did defy 

The threats ot death and woe. 
Her soul was pure; she would not lie 

And woi'ship gods below. 

She felt and knew a God above 

Was striving in her breast. 
There is no other God of love 

Can lead a soul to rest. 

Tiien St. Cecilia had to choose 

Between this life or death. 
Almachius was a th'eadful foe: 

His sab^r sought the blessed. 



102 Autumn Roses. 



Then placed wit!) in a heated l)atli. 
They souo-lit liev precious sou!. 

Alinacliius tlien ^vas filled with wrath; 
The liquid niade her whole. , 

She stood tlie test of crucial heat, 

As Polycarp the flames. 
0, such a life ! It must hv sweet 

To live whei'e .fesus reigns. 

A headsman came witli swoi'd in hand, 
She boAved hei- araeeful head ; 

'jl'he warder gave the death command ; 
Tliere lav the mai'tyr death 

0, no! A'ot dead, hut living stilL 

She bears a golden sheen. 
It was th6 holv Masters will; 

Such things were faintly seen. 

Tier soul passed a brilliant star 

To gem the vaulted sky. 
'Tis but a step across the bar; 

I would that it were 1. 

Her life ran out upoii the ground; 

Her spirit tliere took wing, 
'file angels t-aiiie and gathcrc(l round; 

Thev gathcj'ed there to sing. 



An Epitaph — Ideai^ Love. 108 



Clod above, we woisbip tliee. 

The Fathei- of our soul. 
(). oi\-o us life and make us free. 

And auaels at the o-oal. 



AN EPITAPH. 

Tlerc lies hencath this niarlile sti)n(^ 
A l)ai-d that loved in liclds to roam, 
''I'raveline,' ])aths many have trod, 
8eek'ina' the favor of his Ciod. 



IDKAL LOVK. 

Harling ^^farv. thy s))arkling" eyes ' 
^\'f're kiudlcil in the vaulted skies. 
Tiiey are so \('i'\" like ni\ own. 
Brighter orhs wei'e never known. 
They are a halm unto my soul : 
1'heir iierfcet liyht hath made me wlxde. 

Peerhi.u' l>ri_uhtlv from covert lids. 
Sweet my joy since we were wed. 
^I'hou hast a charm most divine; 
''JMiy sweet life has len^ithcned mine. 
Thou hast come from home altovc 
For 1111', |)ooi' man. to share thy lo\c. 

February »>, ll>U(i. 



lOi Autumn Roses. 



EESIGNATION. 

One is riding on the air waves 
That are listing ev'rywhere; 

He is moving, rolling, tossing, 
As a cliernb in the air. 

As a M'ave n]>on a river 
That is flowing to tlie sea, 

1 am going on forever 

AV[]ei'C tlie Pilot waits foi- mc. 

He is waiting, he is waiting; 

Cast this moital bark away; 
He is waiting hy the river 

Where it is eternal day. 

Tl'oiigl) tliis cartlicn-iiiolded temple 
^lixy lie silent in the toiiil). 

Fragments of an over spirit 
Still go onward in the gloom. 

In his sym])atlietic s|)irit 
Pnrest love was evei- shown. 

He revoked the laws of nature, 
.\nd restored the Avidow's son. 

Ever stands the faithful warder; 

In bright armor he is dressed. 
When immortal leaves the mortal. 

He will load mv soul to i-est. 



oi.D Maids. — Light and Ijie Movk Onward. 105 



^rind ])n]*sneth distant portals 
Of Utopian fields of love. 

.\ aught but sonls ininiortal enter 
The Elvsian home above. 

Ffbniary 22. 1904. 

OLD MxYIDS. 

Wii(Mi old niaids are eross and wafv. 

Ydii should bow and then (h'pan. 
I'atieiit minds are tired and weary 

Looking for their counterpart. 

Euled thev are by doul)t and soi'ri'JW 
Of a heart lukewarm and sore ; 

'J'he}' are ho))ing for the morrow, 
Which to them is nevermore. 



LIGHT A.VD LIFE ^10\'L OXWAKD. 

As the sun plows through the lieavens, 

Softly fall his gentle rays. 
To the earth new life is given, 

Emblem of those better davs. 



Flowers are blooming, birds are singing; 

Softly drones the busy bee; 
Sweet the breath of buds ascending; 

Sweet this life on cartli to me. 



l(K) Autumn Rosks. 



Mimn'ring- aoes tlic spju'klin^i- brooklet, 
Waiifl'rin^- tln'origh the meadow lawn. 

Noddinij- "racefully, inany a floweret 
8ips its essenee at tlio dawn. 

]\[a]]Y a youth in phiyful childhood 
vSeeks the si)ira] shells ashore. 

Sweet the pleasures of the wihlwood. 
Bnt to man tliev are no more. 

Chanuiuji', ehan,y'in^u', I'oi'iii rcmnins; 

We develop and ex]iand, 
8in<;- of ehildhood's sweet rePi-ains. 

^'niitli lias now l)('coiii(' a man. 

r.urdoned no\v with eare and sorrow; 

I'oy is lrasl)and, life is o'er. 
\\'ith tiie cominu' of to-moi'row. 

We are nnndx'reil iie\ei'm(n'e. 

Bnt our life's l)loo(h minjilinii" ever. 

Still flows on as in tlie past. 
She who loved and is a mother 

Hands it down for eons vast. 

Xothiuii' livin.u' dies foriner. 

Live a jierfix-t life and |)ure: 
liet no thoiiiiht, thou_uh sweet the savor. 

i\[ar tlie tie that shouhl iMidure. 



The Modern Town of Darlington. 107 

Keep tlie thread tliat liiiuls to lieaven 
Like a sjiarkling', flowing stream ; 

Let its course be like to leaven, 
Let its stars like Jacol)'s gleam . 

Febniarv26, IfHM. 



THE MODERN TOWA^ OF IXVETJNdTOTvT 

TJglit and fasliiim ai'c all the I'age 
^\ here people stick liniily to the jdedge; 
And s-a'ei't and liaiidsoiiie are the fair. 
With damask chec^ks and tlowing hair. 
Here life is sweet a.s Mowers tliat l)loom 
In the modern loMii of I )ai'lington. 

(rood ])eople here li\' honest trade 
A happy village have surely made. 
By One their woi-k is fairly blessed, 
Cjiving the people ])eaee and rest. 
Cleansing the lieart as rolls the sun, 
In the modern town of Darlington. 

It stands each side a track (vf rail ; 
The choo-choo ears most nim'nly sail 
Across the healh and o'er the flood. 
And dart like shadows through the wood. 
Here greatest lo\c and peace are shown, 
In the modern town of Darlington. 



lOH Autumn Rosks. 



Its name implies a lover sweet, 
111 dint of fashion fair and neat, 
^\'hose eyes are like bright altar fires, 
I'eering from coverts as lovely stars. 
They charm the soul of old and yonng, 
Tlie lovely lasses of Darlington. 

SAveet peace and rest are tlieir dcliglit : 
They bear the magic touch of right; 
They sound the soldier's bugle call. 
And praise the C*hri«t who died for all. 
►Such praise is meet to Mary's Son 
In this modern town of Darlington. 

The Da.r\\in theory is stale and dead ; 
The first man, Adam, no a])pendage had, 
And woman from rib of man was made. 
Laying ail skeptics in the shade. 
Such flimsy doctrine the people shim 
In the modem town of Darlington. 

Siicli trash is naught but college lore. 
Darwin and others the people bore, 
With monkeys and apes curious to see. 
Ko sister or brother to such are we. 
Fi'om Adam and Eve the race has run 
In the iiiodcni town of Darlington. 



A Felo-de-sk. 109 



A FELO-DE-SE. 

Well, this world seems to be so cheerless 

For such a one as 1, 
It would have been much better 

If still I lived on high, 
"^rhe earth has no charm of loveliness ; 

Its pleasures all are flown; 
The gleaming shades, light and despair. 

Together seem to run. 
Here I've traveled in sadness 

Along the river's surf ; 
And there is no enchantment. noni>; 

My life is void of worth. 
.Ml da3's are dark and dreary. 

Tliough brightly shines tlie sun. 
And I so sad and lonely here. 

God, thy kingdom come! 

(), father, that gave me utterane(\ 

1 danced upon thy knee: 
And. mother, thou hast left me, 

A ijark on life's cold sea. 
Christ came to save the weary; 

He suffered u[)on tlie tree; 
He's gone above to throne of heaven. 

0, such is mystery ! 
ISTo friends, dear friends, that I conceive, 

Will clasp my trembling hand; 
This mortal coil is dreaming of 

A distant fairvland. 



110 Autumn Roses. 



How cau 1 quit this mortal bark, 

Wherein the pilot reigns? 
Such work of art was never wroui^ht 

Witli nobler work and plans. 
But now the captain seeks to wreck 

Upon some rock-bound shore 
The vessel, and a pessimist 

Will here be seen no more. 
Will God forgive who takes his life? 

Will he the law rescind? 
Can man be hid in cave or cliff? 

God seeks him as the wind. 
1 long for sleep, that peaceful rest. 

Where man may rest and dream. 
Sleep — ah me, " there is the rub ! '" 

^^'ho from that bourne returns? 
Sorrow and sadness, sickness and death — 

T'hey haunt me day by day. 
I have no hope, no gleam of faith, 

My nervous baud to stay. 
The dagger, the rope, and opiates — 

Ah, they dim the brightest eyes ! 
They are the stuff': they send aloft 

A soul into the skies. 
There ! I'll try that rope and slender li)eam ; 

1 stand at the rivers brink; 
'j'here I see those ghosts and goblins near, 

All dressed in dazzling pink. 
Wondrous, desperate demons they; 

Their eyes so wildly glare, 



A Fei.o-dk-sk. Ill 

I cannot stand that awful sti'aiu : 

Sueli scenes I cannot l»eai'. 
IFark! 'Jlicre comes a sound of niusic. 

Sweet the strain nnto my ear : 
It echoes the eiin of vastness. 

Dark come tlie sliades I fear. 
(). hapju" the Aoice of inaiden ! 

Aiy heart ooes out to her. 
Sad heart has been rejected : 

Slie left nie in despair. 
God pity my soul and forgive me: 

There! bar the door secui'e. 
Shai'p iiiedii-ine lies before me: 

I cannot long- endure. 
Here is the ante-mortem statement ; 

I'll pin it to the bed : 
1 die for loving the loveivj 

Whose love for me was dead. 
Dear Emily, you have deceived nui" : 

My visions of glory are llown. 
Thy smiles so lovely bereave me ; 

My visions of fancy are gone. 
Like a dream, you've haunted my bosom, 

A gem that never can die ; 
As a flower that pur]3les the air weaves. 

And is mirrored above in the sky. 
MaJ^ you come to my grave at departing 

And brighten my face with a smile: 
May you drop on my tomb but a rose h^if ; 

I knelt at vour knee as a child. 



112 Autumn Roses. 



Frail little maid, 1 foi-give yoii. 

Fair faces all lovers commend ; 
Their cunning and art will deceive yoiv; 

Deception will come in the end. 
\']\ grasp that echoing missile 

Which stills the pulse's How ; 
It starts the wings of angels, 

The shades I fear below. 
No life for those who destrov it, 

J^o peace or .-joyt'iil land. 
Killed by maiden so lovely. 

My heart lireaks by her hand. 
(iood-by, good-by. dear Emily; 

VI 1 meet you on earth no more. 
My sold in shadow is going 

To a distant, echoless shore. 
Good-bv, irood-bv. dear Emilv ! 



THE DEVIL. 

IJo-lio. licvho ! What was it? 

Ho-ho I AVarder, wluit sound of gun ? 
Have we claimed another victim. 

A false and fickle son ? 
0, shout for the master of Hades ! 

0, shout for the glory of me ! 
0, shout for the llery-tonguod angel 

That tooled ^liss Imc in the tree ! 
God, in his inhnite goodness. 

Has offered redemption to men; 



The Devil. 113 

But seeking a road in the darkness. 

]\Iy love is a power upon them. 
The lust of the flesh is much sweeter 

Than magic that mortal can know. 
My work is even completer; 

1 purge it with fire as I go. 
(rod lures with visions of kindness; 

He works in a magical dream. 
My work has no color blindness ; 

]\ly pleasures forever are seen. 
They know not what to he doing; 

All evil seems sweet for its hire; 
Such evil their soul is undoing — 

I'll purge them forever in fire. 
CiOod-by, good-by, and forever! 

Here lies the bottondess pit ; 
The rope and pistol and morphine 

Are leading directly to it. 
Woe to the fiery-tongued serpent 

That spake in the gai'den to E\'e ! 
God seeks to destroy his kingdom. 

But people will do as they please. 
The shadow that darkens the air wave 

Is God from the mystical sea ; 
He sneaks to his dutiful children, 

And wai-ns them the devil to flee. 



114 Autumn Roses. 



THE r40LBEN-R0D. 

On hill and dale it flourishes. 

And spreads its golden fringe ; 
On ev'rv soil it nourishes, 

AVhicli seems so very strange, 
it grows so stately and so tall, 

On gentle hreeze it waves ; 
Jt is the grandest flower of all. 

And stren.gth its form portrays. 
The golden-rod, the golden-rod. 

Is monarch and is power; 
The golden-rod, the golden-rod — 

0, what a beautiful flower! 

A perfect gem, lis crown of gold 

Is as the stars above; 
The grandest sjiecies of the fold, 

^Ve look oil it with love. 
0, hoAv my heart lills up with joy 

To vicAV its golden crown ! 
"'J'is like a gallant soldier l)oy 

Which e]janlets adorn. 
'^I'he golden-rod, the g'olden-rod. 

Is monarch and is |)o\ver; 
'J'he golden-i'od, the golden-rod — 

0, what a beautiful flower ! 

W'c usher thee an emblem Ijright 

U])oii the nation's seal ; 
Vou hold the |)hiee hy hii'tii and righl 

To lead the ijuhlie weal, 



The LONG-HANDT.ED GoURD. 115 

Strength and might have gained the right ; 

By right you win the day. 
0, heauteous flower, your strength and power 

We love, and lu'ight array! 
The golden-j()(l, the golden-rod, 

Is monarcii ami is power; 
The .gnl(lcn-i()(l. tlie golden-rod — 

0, what a hcaiitit'nl flower! 

April 11, l<.t04. 



THE I.OXG-HANDLED GOURD. 
(a parody.) 

How dear to my heai't ai'c thv joys of my i-hihlhi)i)d. 

As memory's scroll ])resents tlicm to view ! 
'I'lie garden, the liaw tree, the did- fashioned gourd vine 

And every Io\ed haunt thai my infancy knew; 
Tlie held of sweet clover. Uw Urook that ran through ii 

Where oft 1 went tlsliing and in it I fell : 
The lionie of mv fathei'. tlie sweej) that st(M)(l liy it. 

That hoisted the l)iickct which hung o'er the wcU. 
The little iiTonmi gourd, the round sugar gourd, 

The long-handled ^ourd, whicli hung at tlie well. 
L»'- ■. ^' 

'I'his ]M-imeval vessel ajjpeals to me dearlv: 
For often hy thirst ovci'come in the iiehl. 

I found il ihc soui'ci' of a liountiful |)leasurc, 
T!k' )iurcst and sweetest that nature can yield. 



116 Autumn Roses. 



How anxious I seized it with hands that wwo languid 
And dipped it in bucket of round su,o:ar shell ! 

I filled it to brim with nectar o'ertiowinji'. 

Wliich, sparklino; with clearness, arose from the we 

The little brown gourd, the round susfar j2,ourd. 
The long-handled oourd wdiich hung at the well. 



How glad from the long-handled cup to receive it. 

As, cool from the fountain, it moistened my lips! 
This old-fashioned vessel T hail as a treasure. 

As sweet as the cup at which Jupitei- sips. 
This blood-cooling nectar T hold as a blessing; 

^vTo purer or sweeter from heaven e'er fell. 
Adam's pure ale from nature's own handiwork, 

Bubbling and sparkling, it arose from the w(,'ll. 
The little brown gourd, the round sugar goui-d. 

The long-handled gourd which hung at the \\e]l. 



Pardon me, dearest; I nearly forgot 

My little old friend, the wee teaty gourd. 
The children still love it, as ever they will ; 

It is the most likely of all of the horde. 
INow talk of your science and modern skill; 

But nature is fairest, as all will tell. 
She gave us this genus of Cod's sacred plan. 

Which now still adoi'iis Alpli LookabilTs well. 
Tlie little bruwii goui'd, the round sugar guuril. 

The long-Jiandled gourd which hung at the well. 



Thk Good Oi,d SHR?:r-soRRKi, PiK. 



THE GOOD OLD SHEEP-SOEEEL PIE. 

How T love to roam by fences 

And to set^'k the shady nooks 
"When the pleasant sprino- eoininenees. 

And to \\e\v the rippling brooks ! 
Tliere I note the o^rowino; phmt life 

With an evei'-watchful eve. 
Where in clusters ofreen and nice 

Crows the sheep sorrel for a pie. 

I am hunting, ever hnnting. 

For the yellow-flowering herb. . 
TIow I love to find it growing 

Green and nice along the ciii-1-) ! 
Then I plnck it and I leaf it : 

You may guess the reason why : 
And I never will forget it — 

The good old sheep-soi're) pie. * 

It is rich and tart in savor, 

Tart as cherries on a tree. 
J'icli and racy in its flavor. 

It is just the thing for me. 
Darling mamma pleased me dearly. 

As the decades passed me by ; 
And I sought it late and early — 

The good old sheep sorrel for a pie. 



11*^ Autumn Roses. 

But jts fate, I fear, is coming, 

zVs coines fashion mixed with prirle. 
Some wonlcl seek a daintier filling. 

Lest the foppisli Awndd deride: 
l>nt my einldliood made my fashion, 

Anf! its pleasures ne'er will die. 
I would seek no l)etter ration 

Than a good old slieeji-sorrel pie. 

Country lasses, too, did love it. 

Ere they caught a city heau : 
Like sweet raisins they Avoiild munch it 

But for dandy it must go. 
Youthful days 1 tliought it clever. 

The scrolled lid so pleased my eye : 
But forget it I will never — 

The good old sheep-sorrel pie. 

It is queer, l)ut such is nature; 

Little lanihkins play and eat. 
God provides for every creature, 

Though its stature small or great. 
I am pleased that to my liking 

Grow the things that satisfy. 
You'll believe tliere's no mistake in 

The good old sheep-sorrel ]iie. 

July 1. ly04. 



Jur.v 4, 1904.— 'And Thou, Too, Brt'TUS.'" 119 



JUT.Y 4, 1904. 

0, glorious Fourth, 
You bi'ouglit your wortli 

In good oM-rash)oiU'(l skv wator! 
It was worth a crown 
Of English coin 

To see rhe doui/cns lice and scattoi-. 



''AM) THOU, TOO, BEUTUS." 

(A vivid picture of the Covington Friend in its treatment of poets.) 

[Several weeks ago the OoNuigto]! Friend ]iub]ished 
a moss of doggerel rhyme, written 1)y " Hap]5y Jack,'"' a 
jtoorbouse poet, and had the consnnnnate nerve to put 
it on a plane witli the musings of the bard of Alamo. 
The News-Ecview in-cdicted at the time that 'Mr. El- 
more would resent any sneh comparison, and that proph- 
ecy has been fulfilled by the following sizzling ])oo\n 
which he has sent in un.der the above cajjtion. — A'r/r.s- 
ncviem.l 

Fountain vies Avith old Montgomery 

In her greatest seeing men : 
She can vie and she can chasten. 

She can never distance them. 
If she had a gallant ])oet. 

She A\'ould turn liini out to l)ro\vse: 
She would send him in his efforts 

To a beastly county house. 



1*20 AuTi'Mx RosKs. 

Let the moral tide sweep o'er thee, 

Tiet the risjht just here begin. 
Purity tlie junk of Davy, 

Now the press of Editor Schwiii. 
Do not jollify in bahble, 

Nor the rabble that carouse; 
Keep the men that make the nation 

From a beastly county house. 

Elmore, in his placid spirit. 

Sings the songs that cheer the soul ; 
He enjoys a press of merit 

Such as makes the spirit whole. 
Stab on stab must rend the toga, 

Or the quaint old Eoman blouse. 
Such would send a sacred Homer 

To a beastly county house. 

0, the doom that now awaits them 

That would chide and scandalize ! 
Such is chief in D.'s "' Inferno,'"' 

Wher& the fumes of hell arise. 
They may live among the rabble, 

Spleen and envy to arouse; 
They would send a man of letters 

To a beastly county house. 

Many friends I have and welcome 
That 1 hope may long endure. 

They are living in their columns 
From a press that's grand and pure 



Acrostic — A Social ('tKKKTinc. 1*21 



'^JHiev would never see a Horace 
Xor a Homer broujijht to shame; 

'riic\- would feed and clothe the singer. 
And would laud his precious name. 

Brino- poor Jack froui out the barracks; 

From the hnstile let him roam ; 
^lako his heart to beat with ardor. 

As he sees the lio-ht of home. 
I'oast not of his hapless fortune; 

Speak more kindly, he'll "ive thanks ; 
Send to liim a boon of o-reetino- ; 

Free him from a house of cranks. 

ACROSTIC. 

Would the world was one laro:e blossom 

In the midst of all I see, 
Xeither shorn of any petal 

In the ages that would l)e. 
Free my heart wTuild beat and joyous, 

Eare old time's fair souvenir; 
Each and every moment knows us 

Down life's valley everywhere. 

A SOCIAL GREETING. 

(Written for the Elmore Club, in I.ouisville, Ky., November [•>, llKll ) 

I would love to now be with you 

In such joyous filial love, 
■.\s the seraphs meet above you 
And the Lord such acts approve. 



122 Autumn Roses. 



I'lit'iKls comiiuine, though distant meeting, 
In fail* sheets of printed lore; 

We enjoy a friendly greeting 
Of a ]u'0]ile long of yore. 

^\ e esteem tlie lives of otliers, 

Though th.eir mystie acts seem queer; 

They were distant bands of lirotliers 
In God's changing atmosphere. 

In a laud of lovely blue grass 

Is a people briglit and fair; 
There the lovely, graeefiil lass — 

Is no sweeter anywhere. 

So the "' Hoosier " loves a brother 

Of a distant sunny clime: 
Let the world so greet each otliei- 

Througli th(> corridoi's of time. 

May the world go on improving; 

N^ever let life's vessel strand. 
On such tide gi'eat souls arc ino\ing 

To a hright and better land. 

A CHEISTMAS CAUOL. 

Go ring the bells aiid jollify. 

For Christmas Day is coming, 
And ask yourself the reason why 

The hoys and girls are romping. 



A Christmas Cakoi.. 128 

Tliey, toOj were boni. as Jesus was. 

With brio'ht and lovelr faces; 
But notliiiig in the sacred hiws 

To tlieni liear loYinjj traces. 

All hail the day a Son was horn 

To Plim who rnles so lovino- ! 
We'll l)eat the drum and blow the horn: 

His life we are approving-. 

G'). children, go. and joyful he; 

Sing of the birth of Jesus; 
Let anthems ring in Galilee 

For him who u)ust redeem us. 

Once hund^le as a child of earth. 

Adorned in swaddling dresses; 
Xo one but (rod so knew his worth. 

For he was born to bless us. 

We must be crowned at his command; 

His law and life are blended. 
No name on earth is half so grand 

"When mortal life is ended. 

So let the children ]u-aises sing. 
And may they ne'er grow weary ; 

And when the soul in flight takes wing, 
With Jesus it will tarry. 

November 1."), 1904, 



124 AuTiMN Roses. 



ELMORE. 

Like the luicp in tlie liousi' wlici-c liai'i)ist is not, 

rjmised and maltroatfd and almost foro;ot, 

Just so my poor heart was till sweet Elmore came — 

A good, honest hard who was seeking for fame. 

He took up 11 lY lieart, which he lovingly dusted. 

Worked with the strings till he had tliem adjusted; 

Then he fetched her a swipe in ill-disguised glee. 

Just to show me tliat I had iiiiisie in me. 

The song that awoke me? I'd rather not tell; 

But 'twas something ahout an Alamo belle. 

—E. P. C. 

A PEDANT. 

A '' swell '' lives in the city. 

Who Avould slander all the fair; 

His heart is full of scandal. 
And his soul is in despair. 

He has failed to he a j^oet 

And to join that sacred clan ; 

He can only chide the muses 
As a babbling sort of man. 

Like old Baalam on his donkey, 
He would strike the church anew; 

But his speech was kind o' flunky, 
And he fell in Satan's pew. 



A Pedant. 125 

Tlien he soiio]ii the poet yeoman. 

With hi? o-ol(len. inag'ic wand; 
And he found he was a cliarmer. 

As he threw liim to the o-round. 

And he held him in his wallow. 

As a heing full of groo-; 
And he ran his little gammon 

Like a s]iawning pollvwog. 

Now this " nosey " eorrespondtnit 

Must be feeling sort o' tame; 
For he sent liis ehild despondent 

To the press without a name. 

And as Hamlet love was making 

To the fairest little miss, 
He stabbed through backward curtain, 

And he killed a man like this. 

For the scand'ler and eavesdropper 

Are so very much the same ; 
One seeks the worth of honor, 

And the other woidd defame. 

Let him sign his little pseudo. 

So the living world can see; 
Let him breathe the breath of liowers. 

And his heart will better be. 



126 Autumn Roses. 



A QCriCKENED SOUL. 

Ill the beautiful fields and fair 

Grows tlic preeious ^-raiii of old 
In the wholesoiiic and balmy air 

Waves a shiiiiiii:,' mass of ""old. 
Once it lived a jierfect life, 

As it nourished and it fed ; 
From a wonderful Moi'ld in strife 

Once it died, but was not dead. 



Now its tie has been removed 

From the father in its start. 
He is great that gave and proved 

Such great wisdom in bis heart. 
Eiinning on, the beautiful world 

Changes in its groove of time. 
At the fountain, we are told, 

It will live a. life sublime. 



AVhen the harvesting time has corae, 
It is gathered and is blessed. 

O'er the sickle's steel it runs, 
In a perfect mantle dressed. 

There lies within its precious folds 
A gokleii image of its face, 

And in its castle still it holds 
liiiti'lit the future of its race. 



A Quickened Soul. 127 



.Some perfect sei^d is \\-ay\varcl lost. 

Will it come and live a.ijain ? 
0. the blasted, sin-ivelefl host 

Of the precious o-rowin^ ^raiu I 
Can its life be so debased? 

Will it live not and inipi'ove? 
0. can ne'er there be a ti-ace 

Of its infmitv and love? 

As a bird soars in its lliu'hi. 

Who Ccin tell where it may o'o? 
Will it keep its course aright? 

Can a mortal ever know? 
In its eyrie it is blessed. 

'As it gains a perch on higli. 
^^'ill it gain a glorious rest 

In the dome above the sky ? 

God one precious gem approved, 

So remote in days of old. 
Will the base be far removed 

From the lambkins of the fold? 
At the glowing fount of life. 

Will they live and e'er ri'joice? 
From all care and toil and strife, 

Sweetly sounds the Shepherd's voice. 

As the south winds murm"ring play. 
l/*ass tlie souls of those that slee]), 
They have left theii' house of clav 
i-''(U- a home where vigils keep. 



128 Autumn Roses. 



Passing oiiwarrl, the wiiio-s of time 
Gather the o-raiii of seed that's pure. 

Jacob's Tnarvelous dream sublime 
I^eaves a hope that is secure. 



FLOSSIE'S CHEISTMAS. 

(?"hnstmas is coming, and many a toy 
Santa will bring me and fill me with joy. 
r'11 hang up my stockings, though I am poor, 
And maybe he'll knock and open the door. 
Bring the old stockings with holes in tlie toe; 
\Iy poor aching lieart he surely does know; 
ni hang them on top of the old armchair. 
For surely he'll find them hanging up there. ■ 

Xow, mamma, I'm ready to go to my bed, 
And wait for old Santa with reindeer and sled. 
]S^ow shut the rude door and leave it unlocked. 
Or maybe he'll miss a little child's sock. 
Flossie slept soundly and dream]:)t of the things— 
The raisins and candies — that Santa Clans l)ring.>' 
Making hearts glad of the sweet little ones. 
Shi)oting firecrackers and snapping of guns. 

Flossie aWakened; the morning was bright. 
She ran to her stockings with heart of delight. 
NTothing was there for a poor orphan child ; 
Santa's fleet horses were frantic and wild. 



A Doubting Teacher. 129 

(J, that poor eliiid, so beautiful and fair. 
With pretty brown eves and soft, golden hair ! 
She felt in her heart as thouo-h it would l)reak. 
Thinking old Santa had made a mistake. 

" (), mamma, how sad I'm feeling to-day! 
For Santa Glaus never has passed this way." 
Bowing her head on a suppliant hand. 
She thought of the many rich in the land. 
With plenty to keep and plenty to spare. 
Her neat little stockings were empty there. 
A tear started down her sweet little cheeks; 
She sighed for a gift and candy to eat. 

Her little heart throbbed ; and, bowing her head, 
She thought of the morrow ; her papa was dead. 
The tears flowing freely, they darkened her sight, 
And she lifted her voice to God in the night: 
"• Father, dear Father, come take me to rest; 
I want to ily home where good children are blessed. 
0, take me to heaven, thy kingdom above, 
Wliere all receive gifts through Christ in his lovo." 



A DOUBTi:N^G TEACHEE. 

He that styles himself a teacher 

Is a most peculiar man; 
He must be a lovely creature, 
Living by his sleight of hand. 
10 



130 Autumn Roses. 



He can't scan a piece of music, 
Lest he fall in dire dismay; 

He can't see its worth intrinsic. 
Thomas, doubting, lost his way. 

Bnt he may, if show is beauty. 
Sow some precious seed to reap. 

Sure 'twill be a little sooty ; 
It is only dermis deep. 

Some can't see a distant planet 
From the orbit of their brain. 

Shallow thought can never scan it; 
Self-laudation is not gain. 

Some ambitions lose a pleasure 
In the pride of selfish hearts ; 

They can never meet and measure 
Other lights in other parts. 

Though their magic is a wonder 
To a brighter star than they, 

They are ever raising thunder, 

Though the mists have cleared away, 

Let the Over Soul approve us," 

If a fellow be supreme, 
And the swell of music move us 

Till a teacher dreain a dream. 



A Prayek. 131 

Let the light of Heaveu mingle 

With the striving and the trae. 
Chiding hearts will snrely tingle; 

They must feel the smart of you. 

T'hougli your lot be very humble. 

Strive to do the best you can ; 
Ijet the precious music bubble 

From the heart of anv man. 



A PEAYER. 

Kind Heavenly Father 

In peace above, 
Please give to us 

Thy merciful love; 
Please fill our hearts 

With hope and cheer. 
And help us ever 

The cross to bear. 

0, grant us mercy. 

And feed the poor ; 
Forgive our sins 

For evermore. 
Accept us, Father, 

Though weak in sin, 
Thi'ough Christ our Lord. 

Amen, amen. 



132 Autumn Roses. 



OLD GLORY. 

Flag of the brave and free, 
We shout in joy to thee; 

Let freedom roll. 
Sweet joys of heart and hand 
Now come from all the land. 
From ey'ry hill and strand, 

In peace of soul. 

Come, lame and halt and well. 
Let ev'ry pilgrim tell 

That joined the strife. 
Who left his home and joys 
And joined the gallant boys. 
Where shot and shell annoys, 

For peace and life. 

Hoist high Old Glory true. 
Her vict'ries count anew. 

And shout her praise. 
May peace forever last; 
Proclaim it on each blast. 
Out of the silent past 

Come better days. 

Many a brave was lost; 
They joined the silent host 

In peace above. 
We soon will join their side. 
May Freedom's chief preside, 
Whate'er to us betide. 

In joy and love. 



Liberty. 133 



Roll on, Freedom, roll ; 
Cheer iip tlie nation's soul ; 

Let Gloiy wave; 
Flaunt out her folds afar, 
Showin.o; each stripe and star 
Wlio dares her peace to mar 

O'er heroes brave. 



LIBERTY. 

I place my trust in thee, 
Whate'er my lot may be. 

Sweet land of liberty. 
For thee I join my strife, 
For thee I risk my life, 

Sweet land of liberty. 

God gave the earth to n)an. 
It was the sacred plan. 

Sweet land of liberty. 
No man shall rule an hour 
L^nless by lease of power, 

Sweet land of liberty. 

A\'ho rules with evil eye 
Must show the ]-eason why, 

Sweet land of liberty, 
l^he starry flag we love 
Bears emblems from above. 

Sweet land of liberty. 



134 Autumn Roses. 



Thy landscape, fair and free, 
Moves like the mio^hty sea, 

Sweet land of liherty. 
Let peaceful torrents roll, 
The}^ move in ev'ry soul, 

Sweet land of liberty. 



Joy comes to tlie oppressed 
When wrons's liave been redressed, 

Sweet land of liberty. 
Love rnles, and love alone 
Can wear the sacrerl crown. 

Sweet land of liboi'tv. 



The soldier, battle-tossed. 
Bears on his heart embossed, 
" Sweet land of liberty ; "' 
And when he comes to die, 
He breathes, a« with a sign, 
" Sweet land of libertv." 



A WRECK ON THE MIDLAND. 

George "feaid the train ran on a skirt; 

Its dye was crimson red. 
Tlie only thing that there was vvreeked 

Was Georgie's swimming head. 



A Wreck on the Midland. 13*) 

The women shrieked and ran about; 

They gathered round the gunip; 
They saw the trend of his weird brain 

Had settled on liis rump. 

\^'e hear no inoie of that wild train 

And wreck' upon the Midland; 
It vanished like the dashino; rain 

That fell u])on the sand. 

It- takes a very fertile brain 

To see such things of fancy- — 
A kind of lingo or deceive 

Instead of necromancy. 

Tlie man that ]'an that awful train 

That wrecked a soldier's toga 
Now dotes upon the clothesline scare 
. That happened near Ladoga. 

He ran his horn, so like an elk, 

Into the slushing tender. 
And there maligned to his delight 

A lady's Grecian bender. 

Tlie train ]uilled out without a death. 

0, what a hero's blunder 
To strand himself in bustle wire 

With so much blood and thunder ! 



13fi Autumn Roses. 



The whistle shrielved the partino- sign ; 

The captain held her level; 
He only Avronght to show his hand 

As some poor printer's devil. 



A CHAKMING LASS. 

1 love to meet the charniinu' lass 

In good old hlackberry time ; 
Her lips are tinged wiili eiiinsoii rv(] : 

She soothes this heart of mine. 

The sylphs and s_yli)liids wc'cv could chai'in 
They have slight magie i)owers 

Beside this pretty woodland lass — 
She charms the sweetest flowers. 

She bears such pretty golden curls. 

Pier face seems like the fairies. 
Espied by one, he falls in love; 

By her he ever tarries. 

Her power of magnetism glows; 
• She smiles upon me clever ; 
She fills the void that haunts the soul 
Forever and forever. 

My heart beat slowly through the spell, 

As speechless I beheld her; 
Sweet as a nymph that rules the vale, 

In svlvan fields I found her. 



A Charming Lass 



i.s: 



As handsome as a lilv blows. 
Sweet is this child of beauty ; 

Entranced l)eneatb hov brilliant charrat 
i^lie lured me on to duty. 




[A CHARMING I^ASS;()R, GOOD OI.D BLACK MEKkV Tl.MK. 



As angels moving in the air. 

We now move on together ; 
May I with her in joy remain 

Forever and forever. 

July -I-A, lilOii, 



18« Autumn Roses. 



STANZAS. 

The pearly sea appeals to me ; 

]\Ian^s sins are there fornfiven. 
Tt siifficeth me that T may be 

An angel up in lioaven. 

(KOK .). F. S. ) 

My dearest friends I'll ne'er forget: 
They are most dear to me : 

They are the treasure of my mind 
AYhen nuisin"' socially. 



THE GLOKV OF OLD WABASH. 

Sweet the spii'it of old Wahasli 
Burns in ev'ry freeman's In-east. 

How she gives us strength and glory. 
Soothing all our cares to rest! 

C'Ome, ye weary and ye thii-sty. 

Drink her essence pure and free ; 
From her fountain of sweet waters 

Flows she onward to the sea. 

Modest, meek in science ever, 
She is moving swiftly on. 

Philosophic minds adorn her; 
Newer light each day is born. 



Currency Elasticity. 139 

Pure and stately she is movinsr. 

As a priest that wears a crown, 
Or a bride that seeks her lover, 

In whose life there is renown. 

God be praised that gave the nectar; 

Spirits only snch are given . 
Souls retain in airy transit 

Such as this in fairest heaven. 

cuehejstcy elasticity. 

The bankers meet and socially greet 

On currency elasticity; 
They seek a scheme that is complete 

To captivate duplicity. 
Tliey toiled and wnmglit as ^lauiiunn taught: 
A\'luite'er they, wish or be their lot. 
It lias been so they seek to gain. 
Congress may flip to the bankers' game. 

They don't secure the extra hoard 

In the vision that tliey have seen; 
'J'hey seek to Jine their precious board 
With many tliousands of Gaffin green. 
'■ Lord.'" they pray, '' give us to-day 
A little c-liiuk t(» put away;" 
And when the tide seems low antl tame, 
Congrass may flip to the bankers' game. 



140 Autumn Roses. 

IMie government lias all to pledge, 
But still upon her oars she lies ; 
The people still must live a drudge, 

And, fainting, close their fading eyes. 
They have the gold so manifold ; 
And men have prices, we are told. ' 
This vision bright all hold the same — 
Congress may flip to the hankers' game. 

Call Lincoln from his silent grave, 
And Chas(\ the ]iuirvel. soon is seen; 

With shears he cut and freely gav(> 
riis precious bills of Gaffin green. 

0, glorious (loMcr ! Wv then had ])o\vt'r : 

No money liags could rule the hour. 

''j'he people's voice was not so tauie; 

They never flipped to the bankei's' game. 

iieishazzar saw the wond'rous scroll 
When a secret hand gave warning; 

It fell upon him as a pall, 

And his pride was turned to mourning. 

'J'he time had come, his dirge was sung, 

And many a warning note was rung. 

And Beekebub, he thought it tame ; 

But '" I Am " won that awful ffame. 



Receipt for Eben H. Wolcoti'. 141 



RECEIPT FOE EBEX H. WOLCOTT. OF WHITE 
COUNTY, IND. 

I received complete. 

Which I could not cat. 

Three dollars at your command. 

'Twas neither stone nor wood. 

But white? metal good, 

In full of all demands. 

Kemember the date — 

Thirtieth October late, 

And the earth is brown and sere. 

To this note I'll affix 

In the year nineteen six 

My name in happy yood cheer. 

.Jaaies Buchanax Elmot?k. 



CONTENTMENT. 

All the earth lies i)rig'ht about mc. 
And my heart is full and free ; 

Charming paths of life are lovely. 
Scenes enchanting comfort me. 



Green the woodland and the valley, 
Cheerful sounds ring wild with glee ; 

Sweet the dreams that come and tell me 
Of a fairer life to be. 



142 Autumn Roses. 



Earth's rich mantle of sweet mosses 
Lines the landscape all around ; 

Gay young rodents, fleet and lively, 
Leap and play upon the ground. 

Tel] me, is not this eontentmeut : 
Eoving in fair nature's bowers? 

There can be no woe and sorrow 

When we breathe the breath of flowers. 

As a stream our life moves onward ; 

Time's gi-eat river onward flows; 
Swift we glide on with the current 

To a land of sweet repose. 

jSIature's garden is the fairest 

When her plants ai-e all in bloom ; 

]\Ian approaches her in meekness, 
As he perfect life assumes. 

Life is hope and kind endeavor ; 

We in joy would live and love, 
And, as Enoch, be translated 

To a blessed home above. 

Fairies in their hazv splendor 

Are no fairer now, it seems, 
Than a mortal in such glory 

In this perfect land of dreams. 



An Autograph. — Littlk Babv Am\-. li'S 

Fields of wonder, sweet contentment, 

Never mind can think of woe; 
Sparkling brooklets, purling, leaping. 

Make the heart to overflow. 

There is one, the master Fainter, 
Guides the sonl each passing hour. 

In each silent secret chamber, 
Giving beaut}^ to each flower. 

In this land of love and sunshine 

Man should ever joyous be. 
Soul in touch with soul immortal, 

King and Lord — eternity. 

Decamber 13, 1906. 

A^T AUTOGRAPH. 

Good luck I hope may come to thee 
In the balmy breeze of the greenwood tree. 
Where many a bird mav soar and sing. 
The blessings of joy and hope to bring. 
Christlike we live in peace and love, 
As children of God a space removed. 

' LITTLE BABY AMY. 

Fair little Baby Amy 

Is on. her papa's knee, 
As sweet as any rose 

That ever I did see. 



144 Autumn Roses. 



Her smiles are like the sunshine 
That glistens on the snow ; 

She prattles to her papa 
Tn lisping words I know. 

She rides u|)()n a pony 

That swings from pa]5a's knee. 
A pretty little nrchin. 

As sweet as child can be. 

She pleases all the household 
With smiles so warm and bright 

Slie fills the heart of mamma 
With joy at lier delight. 

She is a flower of heaven, 

Eadiant as the sun ; 
So charming arc ber features — 

Her life has just begun. 

Her mamma loves her dearly ; 

Her heart is filled with cai'o; 
For Amy, fair and lovely. 

Is all the world to her. 

TOMMY LITTLP]'S COURTSHIP. 

'Twas Sunday eve I went to the city. 

There the maidens passed to and fro ; 
They passed along in cheerful bevies, 

And each one looking for a beau. 



Tommy Little's Courtship. 145 

There TommA' Little stood on a corner, 
Where, like a snowbird blithe and ^uy, 

Fair maidens passed so sweet and lovelv 
That Tommy's heart was carried away. 

And I said : ''"' Tommy, why art thou ^azino; 

And longing in so distant space? 
Come, my boy ; cheer up, old fellow, 
And let us find a lovelier place." 
"All right," said Tommy, very quickly. 

"Where wilt thou that we should go? " 
"To the parson's — Reverend McFadden's; 
There calmly Love's zephyrs blow." 

He had seen the parson's daughter 

Pass that way a moment before ; 
But as a boy afraid to ask her, 

He sighed and longed as of yore. 
Xow there was Ada, a beautiful lass. 

And I said that I would court her ; 
Then Tommy's heart swelled up with joy, 

And away we went with a stir. 

I touched the doorbell, and Ada came ; 

She sweetly smiled and said : " Come in ! 
Halloo there, Tommy ! " she laughing said. 
"' My dearest })oy, where have you lieen ? " 
There, sat Lucy, and well she knew 

AVhom Friend Tommy had come to sec ; 
And she took his hat and overcoat. 

And slyly she glanced at me. 
11 



146 Autumn Roses. 



Ada and 1 sat down tooether. 

And LncY sat o\er so near ; 
And I said : " Tofninv. (-onie. niv liov; 

Don't he al'iaid: In'iii^u- nf your chair." 
He answered tlic summons vcrv (niiekly. 

And I tell von it was not loim- 
Until Tommy was coiirtin^' of l^u-y 

A\'itli a l<:ive that was good and stron.u'. 

Xo living mortal could hlam(> him, citlici': 

T''or Lucy was pretty and sweet . 
I wouldn't have minded to taking a hand. 

But Tommy enjoyed tl\{^ treat. 
Then J said. "■ Tommy, we had hetter go; " 

For the ]iarson made restless sounds; 
And. fearing tha.t he Avould be disturhed. 

We started — and he kissed lier. by zounds! 

And then we retired for tlie evening. 

/vnd Tommy spoke well of tlie night ; 
lUit the mind still glowed with a i)ieture 

Tliat faded not out of our sight. 
1 thought Tommy had made the best l)ai'gain. 

And A\ ith Iiim 1 thought 1 wouhl share. 
So I hastened on next tSun(hi\- e\ening: 

Behold, your friend, I'ommy. was there. 

Now he sat much elosei' than usual. 

And he lireathed sol't \\(U'd> iii hei- eaj'. 
.Vs slyly I seei'elly watched liim, 

.\iid he hJushed as he called her his dear. 



The Social Sparrow. 147 

Bnt soon he recoA'ered composure, 

And wondered : " Wliat thin(j have T said ? " 
TTi> lieart with a yearning was aching. 

And his clieeks were colored quite red. 

He called on the parson next evening; 

He drew the old pastor aside ; 
A frog came up in his larynx. 

As he asked to make Lucy his bride. 
It is up with you now." said the sylphids. 
" We have aided your rival to ])lan. 
And still we arc guiding the bridegroom ; 

You onlv can be the best man." 



THE SOCIAL SPARROW. 

'J'be social sijarrow. lilitbe and gay, 
Bushes his feathers and flies away; 
He perches himself upon a tree. 
As gay and happy as he can be. 

He scatters the snow and ^^•orks his feet, 
Looking for seeds and tilings to eat. 
Though cold and bleak may be tlic day. 
He ever loves to chir)) and i^lay. 

In bevies they pass the wintei- througli. 
As boys and girls at school mav ilo. 
Tliey often Imiid a \illage nest; 
Of sticks and grass thev make it best. 



148 Autumn Roses. 



Together they live in peace and joy ; 
No brawls their home will e'er annoy ; 
They live as happy as though alone. 
As children tliat live in one sweet home. 

The nest of eggs and fledglings hare 
Are as the family nurslings are. 
Each mother will join the social brood, 
And share alike her mite of food. 

Dear little bird, so light and free. 
Thy blessings arc joy and life to me; 
May 1 so live so kind and true, 
And be as hapi)y and free as you. 

January 1,5, 1907. 

THE DYING SWAN. 

0, beautiful bird, coy and meek, 

Graceful and white as snow, 
Quiet and solitude thou dost seek. 

Who can thy mysteries know? 
By the plashy brink thy happy home 

Has many a pleasant scene. 
Happy and free, whate'er may come. 

Thy life has a mystic gleam. 

Thy voice is still from morn till night. 
As mute as' the hidden stars; 

Thy lite seems ligJit, joyous, and bright, 
Whatever may be thy cares; 



A Day of Bliss. — The Youth of Delphi. 149 



Thy prayers, we know, will soon be said. 

As one that is pure and strong ; 
As ii' in dreams by mystery led. 

Tliou singest a beautiful song. 

A token it seems of a happier hind. 

Where in ^•isions the saints draw nigh. 
With rustling wings on a golden strand. 

And the water of life runs by. 
0. the wondrous song of the dying swan ! 

1 1 moves my restless soul ; 
Ere life is gone and the day is dawn, 

I dream at the mystic goal. 

A DAY OF BLISS. 

There's a day of !)liss in the starry dome. 

Where they play on harps of gold ; 
There is joy and peace in that hai)i)y lionie. 

And the heart will ne'er grow cold. 
Thanks to the Lord for the ])romise given. 

And the grace of his precious love. 
There's a goal in the sky, and man has striven 

For a crown in glory aliOA'C. 

' THE rOTJTK OF DELFHI. 

Whore Hows the Wabash througli her l)auks 

Of mosses rich and green. 
The lad and lass of modern days 
i Work cahnly and serene. 



150 Autumn Rosks. 



Tlie tilings that gruat x\.))ollo saw 

x\.rouncl his simny howers 
Are still alive and glowing yet 

Beneath great gilded towers. 

The people in their prophet saw 

The iields of light and song. 
The 3'onth of Delphi yet may he 

Among the great and strong. 

In those far-ofl; primeval days 

The Greek, the Eoman lord 
Loo'ked through the mists of dotted scrolls 

Toward an nnseen God. 

They sought to climb Parnassus Mount, 

And view that sunny clime 
Where Homer, in his art supreme, 

Has sung in lucid rhyme. 

The mind in mystery seems to move 

In worlds that are above; 
It is the link that binds the soul 

"^iV) Him that hears our love. 

May science teach, and not disprove, 

The ocean wave of strife 
Leads on the surging, rolling tide 

Unto eternal life. 



A LEc'.isi.ATrRp: Btm. 

The ,l;iioui(' that lives bencatli Ihf suvl' 

And guides the realms below 
Is but the unseen hand of Cod. 

Whose ways -we i-annot know. 

So live that wlicu you ])ass awav. 

Your life is one sweet tome : 
The dreams of earth are frau,u:lit A\itli joy 

In that great fulfiro liome. 

A LEGISLATUIJE BV^l. 

The people seek for laws most fair 
From the hands of those our honors })ear. 
But they arc slack and cannot see 
They owe their power to you and me; 
And so we're dooujed for time to come 
By act of Legislature bum. 

A tliousand -dollar whisky bill 
They chaw and chaw and try to kill : 
.V hell on earth they cannot stop. 
Because old Satan's at the top. 
it seems' as though they favor i-iiiu — 
A Legislature cold and bum. 

And lianly they A\"'ould seal)) and slay 
For fear he would bob up souie day 
And push along the lettered law. 
•Anrl from it greater honors draw. 
Come now, my boys, be doing some, 
And show the world you are not bum. 



152 Autumn Roses. 



Wake up, dear lords, and tliiidc with care 
And act with justice grave and rare. 
Just let tlie dead ])ast bury its dead ; 
With caution move and push ahead. 
That time may tell in days to come; 
The logs you rolled are burning some. 



Pure food is what the ]:)eople want ; 
They daily eat much stench and rot. 
We at your hands both seek and triisl 
All combinations wrong to bust. 
If lobbyists in your ]jortals come, 
Strike rio-lit and left and be not bum. 



0, who would go against his God, 
And heap disgrace u])on his Lord. 
And teach the youth baseball to play 
Upon the holy Sabbath day ? 
0, fear the Lord ! The fates will eoni(> 
And solve the problem of the bum. 



Sly •soar the sylphids flying near ■ 
That pour sweet murm'rings in your ear. 

" Do right, do right/' they softly say, 

"' And push the evil one away." 
The bridegroom in his might will eoine : 
The bride is fairer than the bum. 



The Lonely Valley. 153 



THE LOTs^ELY VALLEY. 

Ill a ((uii't, lonely valley. 
Where the sun shines ever fair, 

An(i sweet roses bloom in beauty, 
And rich incense iills the air, 

There I wander in deep silenee. 

And I meditate alone 
On the beauty in fair nature. 

And from whence it all has come. 

Grand, majestic, there in secret 

i Itcliold a Hand unseen, 
W hid I is u'l-eater tJian the flowerets 

Or the valleys rich and oreen. 

Mind reverts to Mind eternal. 
Which forever rules aixive. 

Flowers of earth, like stai's of heaven. 
Are but emblems ol' his love. 

Here in all the dei)ths of wonder 
Dream I of a dear one i^one 

To the flowery banks of Eden : 
Yet I wander here alone 

And 1 seek the e\cnini;' tvviliuhl 

Of the fading, dying day. 
As a flower, I loved and kissed her : 

But — alas ! — she passed awav. 



134 ArrrMN Rosks. 



As i I'oaiii 111 fields oi' suiisliiuc. 

T behold her sparkling eve ; 
She may move in space about nie, 

Yet I breathe Un hei' a siii'h. 

I'hrough the ho))C tbat lives in in'oinise. 

Joy lives on a fairer strand. 
She will meet me, sweet and lovely. . 

As I near the border land. 

THE E AGILE'S AERIE. 

The eagle soars in the inirple sky. 
It seems a specter to the eye : 
It soars above in an airy sea, 
A wondrous thing to you and me. 

His aerie is built in some tall cliff. 
In peace and calm and rocks arift ; 
It rears its brood Avith tender care. 
And soars alol't in livid air. 

These fledglings strong together stand. 
As eagles of this earthly ])and. 
Who work not for themselves alone, 
l^>ut for the sacred, happy home. 

As brothers they live and calndy move 
In their onward march of wondrous love: 
Their fellow-man in sore distress 
Thev house and keep and freely bless. 



A Nkw-vear's S<)N<;. 155 

'i'Jiere liangs an euihlt'iii at our door. 
A brother adrift i? hrouo-hf ashore; 
With tender hands and loving care 
He is redeemed all unaware. 

An unseen hand moves 1jy degree. 
As friend meets friend on a troubled sea. 
The temple of God. made sound and wliole. 
Uplifts the sacred human soul. 

The eagles that iuiild so fair and liigh 
IMay live as Him that ne'er can die. 
They soar afar in airy space. 
The type and beauty of their race. 

A XEW-YEAE'S SOXG. 

Ring, ring, wild bells I The year is dvi ng. 
Set the echoes flying, flying : 
Sound the death knell of the past; 
Sow thy echoes on tlie Idast. 

Sound the gong and blow the whistle; 
Beat upon each sounding vessel ; 
Shoot wild rockets to the sky. 
The year is dying; let her die.- 

_Beat the drums and sound the kettle; 
Blow the flute and flL'es of mettle; 
Set the echoes flying, flying. 
The year is dying, dying, dying. 



IfiB Autumn Roses. 



llo ! The infant year we usher. 
Born as died its aged mother. 
All are joyous, filled with mirth. 
At the new year striding forth. 

Give her pkniicous. joyous prayers: 
-Keat her golden rohe appears. 
Soon she'll walk and trip and run, 
As her sister years have done. 

Waning- years will haxc their death; 
Something mystic draws tlieii- l)reatli. 
Children, great and large and small. 
Wait to hear liei- last footfall. 

Late the middle wateh of nighr 
Strikes the old year with a blight. 
Cheer her lightly; let her rest, 
Link of present and the ]Dast. 

a' HE ^^EW YEAIJ. 

Piing, hai)]iy hells, o'ei' heath and wood! 

The year is dying; let lier die. 
She passes onward with the Hood; 

ITer deeds of greatness linger nigh. 

liing out the old. ring in tlu^ ne^,v ! 

Her wings are quivering on the blast; 
Much greater hopes she brought to view : 

She joins her sisters of the past. 



The New Year. 157 



King, happy bells, from castle tower ! 

0, sister year, whence comcth you ?" 
At stroke of twelve time passeth o'er 

To her whose skirts are briahf and new. 



Tviiis; out, wild bells, across the moor! 

Bring i)eace and happiness to the mind ; 
Ciive joy and ]denty to tlie poor: 

Jjring brigliter hopes to all maiikinil. 

Iving for the nations across the sea. 

Wliose fleeting years we tie with blood ! 
Their hopes and joys lie. too. with tlirc. 

We children of the Western flood. 

Ring peace throughout the livin^i; world. 
And purify the darkest fen ! 

Let peace to end of time be hurled. 
And greater deeds of nobler men. 

Ring, happy Ijclls, in notes sublime ! 

Yon mark the e]30chs we have trod ; 
Thy tongue e'er sounds the lapse of time. 

We travel onwai'd to our (iod. 

December -iy, 1904. 



158 AuTXJMN Roses. 



A 8LAYE TO FASHION. 

Xatiuv's style is far the licst; 

She jiivt's o-reat ease to tlie oppressed ; 

ILer w<.ven avooI* will longer last 

Than cunning art's device. 
She dresses all in silken gear: 
She takes her children in her care. 
And trim and good the clothes they wear 

In fashion neat and nice. 



Bnt art has made a slave of men; 
Their frock mnst hear the latest hem. 
Or dolefid tliough.ts coinc unto them, 

/vlthougli in vesture neat. 
A glance froui some so]ihistic eye 
Will gall the heart when ])assing l)y — 
A gaudy (lu|H' who seeks to guy 

Alonu tli( crowded street. 



No homespun goods cau now Ijc woi'ii ; 
It must be coin bed and nappy shorn, 
.V i:)erfect figure to adorn, 

Or Pride will treat you cold. 
You must look Fashion in the face 
To mci't his i'aiivsl lady's gi'ace, 
.V s])rudtlirift sowing every place, 

J (is laboi-ed store of gold. 




[By peniiissioii I'M A SI^AVE To l-ASHION. 

of H. S. & M.l 



UiO Autumn Roses. 



Dame Fashion, thus a-wooins: me. 
AVill spend my golden shekels free. 
No matter when nor wliere T he, 

1 must throw out the coin. 
I cannot make my heart to shrink; 
I'd rather he just short of eliink 
Than see my ladv escort winlc. 

And others iauojiiug join. 

do where you Avill. Dame Fashion is. 
It seems, a ])art ol' mcrcliant " l)iz."" 
To get all coin that flowing is 

From ceaseless labor's toil; 
And married if I wish to l)e, 
i\ly spouse wonld never live with inc. 
For all my chink has gone to sea, 

And she is lady royal. 

She seeks the court to loose hersel f ; 
She sees a man with greater ])elf . 
Ancl negligence Avill s])an the gnlf. 

And drown her ])rescnt woe 
She seeks to catch a dandy tlien ; 
Her smiles are cast on many men. 
Perhaps she'll strike low tide again, 

For fashion is hnt show. 

For lier we live and tug and toil, 
And keep within the latest style 
'^ro please a world that's full' of guile 
In fancy, gaudy dress. 



Japan and Port Arthur. 161 

She cannot see the scanty store 
Xor Avretched forms that's covered o'er 
To keep Dame Fashion's wolf ashore 
By lean and empty pnrse. 

The poor will ape the noble rich ; 
The blind, the blind, fall in the ditch ; 
They cannot fathom such a stretch 

As Atlas great and tall. 
Their treasure short, they cannot glide 
In gaudy, showy coach of pride; 
In humbler coach they'd better ride, 

And free men be for all. 

You must be changing to tlie sight, 
As Sol is changing in his flight 
From golden mom to crimson light 

Each cardinal hour. 
Your hair is cut in pompadour, 
And vesture neater than before ; 
And vicis lightly tap the floor 

To be a fashion flower. 

December 29, 1904. 

JAPAN AND PORT ARTHUE. 

0, child of Perry's distant fleet. 

You grace the vast Pacific Sea. 
We raise our voice and hand to greet 
Thy f uiture and thy destiny. 
12 



162 Autumn Roses. 



Thy life is full of balm and breeze, 

The flower of all the Orient, 
Thy life increasing by degrees 

In mystic ways divinely sent. 

God's love is power for young and old. 

A gracious heart lets love within ; 
And, shining like a gem of gold. 

Thy glory and renown begin. 
Tliy strength and light are not thine own, 

But His whose glory avc recall. 
'Twas echoed and by Perry sown; 

It loosed the bands of heathen thrall. 

Thy powoi' has reached the stalwart Slav, 

And met him on an C(|ual ijlane; 
Thy scepterecl banner long shall wave 

"Where heroes fought their rights to gain. 
Port Arthur is thy stronghold now. 

Where Muscovite was nobly slain. 
Stoessel fought with pallid brow. 

Starving, his monarch to maintain. 

The walled city and castle tower 

Stop not the rights of valiant men. 
God grants to his the nobler power. 

And Christian worlds now lead the \an. 
Strength and power do not apply 

When held by dark and despot lands. 
There guides a Euler from on high 

Whose soul inhoix'nt gives commands. 



Japan and Port Arthur. 163 

Brave N"ogi. iiioA'ed by zeal and right, 

Withstood the strain of shot and shell, 
A hero in the valiant fight. 

And nations long his name will tell. 
(). Czar, reform, let science rule; 

Let in the light of modern days : 
Thv vassals' hope a modern school 

Wliereat to sing thy lasting praise. 

A Christian's lo\e will let thee out 

T^jxjn tlie great and flowing sea : 
Thy light and good no one will donbt 

When Czar and ]jeasant Ixjth agree. 
A freeman's coni-S'' is In-ave and grand ; 

Xo fear or rigor daunteth them. 
Thei]' liearts arc true : they will rescind.: 

Sneli are tlic lixcs of nohle men. 

Old Siiips of State, tradition stay; 

The bodings are of better things. 
The Oriental shams to-day 

Mnst soar aloft on brighter wings ; 
Confucianism must rise above 

The silly scowl and Boxer clan; 
She cannot live and blessings prove 

But l)v the nobler Son of man. 

January 5, 1905. 



164 Autumn Roses. 



THE WABASH. 

Out from the gray old " Buckeye State" 

My rippling waters run; 
Through the meadows rich and great 

My spray goes dashing on; 
Out from placid Celina Lake, 

Fed hy her beautiful plains. 
Westward on my course I take. 

Through wood and golden grains. 
Under the trees in the Ijalmy breeze, 

Viewed by the golden sun, 
Under the purple twilight sky. 

Over the pebbles I run. 

On by cities that dot the plain. 

By reedy marsli and slough, 
I passed the warrior prophet slain 

Who sang at Tippecanoe. 
I saw the general's steed of gray 

Who guided there that night ; 
He foiled the prophet ; he rode a bay. 

And won the gallant fight. 
Under the trees in the balmy breeze. 

Viewed by the golden sun, 
Under the purple twilight sky. 

Over the pebbles I run. 

l^rough mossy banks of fern and flower 
The wild fowl came to drinlv. 

All nature loved my wealth and dower ; 
The lilies kissed my brink; 



The Wabash. 165 



The wild fawn loved my moonlit rills, 

And sought my inlets cool ; 
The wood grapes piiriilod on my hills, 

And fishes plied my pool. 
Under the trees in the balmy In-eeze, 

Viewed by the golden siin. 
Under the purple twilight sky. 

Over the pebbles 1 run. 

Onward through fields of growing grain 

My mission I have borne, 
Lending my aid to all the plain, 

Giving the golden corn. 
With joy and mirth my bosom swells; 

My work God gave to me; 
I turn the wheels of many mills. 

And run on to the sea. 
Under the trees in the balmy breeze, 

Viewed by the golden sun, 
Under the purple twilight sky,. 

Over the pebbles I ran. 

The Old World missions, too, came down. 

Enjoyed my humble mirth ; 
I bear great titles of renown. 

Old landmarks of the earth. 
And yet I have no fault to find, 

No act do I regret; 
The flower of France to me assigned, 

I love my Lafayette, 



l(jt> Autumn Roses. 



Under the trees in the balmy breeze, 

Viewed by the golden sun, 
Under the purple twilight sky, 

Over the pebbles I run. 

Brave Indian men first trod my shores, 
. Living now in story ; 
For fish and furs they plied the oars. 

Speeding their little dory. 
They've passed away, and in their stead 

1 'he velvet bee is rover ; 
He's piping sweetly overhead. 

And seeking fields of clover. 
Under the trees in the balmy breeze, 

Viewed by the golden sun. 
Under the purple twilight sky, 

Over the pebbh^s 1 run. 

I wind my way and onward pass ; 

My glory never ends. 
I met the fairest skillful hiss — 

Brave Alice of Vincennes. 
Quite all my loved ones I have blessed, 

And greeted with hope and cheer; 
1 hold tluir future in my breast, 

And will for many a year. 
Under the trees in the balmy brooze. 

Viewed by the golden sun, 
Under the purple twilight sky. 

Over the pebbles I run. 



An Autograph. 167 



Sweet the wood rose blooms for me; 

My coves are balm of bliss, 
A symbol of the realm to l)e. 

In nature's fairest dress; 
My stately oaks and forest trees 

Are grand beyond compare; 
j\Iy ocean waves o'er flowery seas 

Lend beauty ev'rywhere. 
Under the trees in the balmy breeze, 

Viewed by the golden snn. 
Under the purple twilight sky, 

Over the pebbles I run. 

The golden-rod that lingers late 

And decks rich Autumn^s glow 
Ijooks down upon the leaves in state 

Which on my bosom flow. 
These golden leaflets of the North 

Flow on toward the sea; 
They go the way of all the earth. 

And seek their destiny. 
Under the trees in the balmy breeze,- 

Viewed by tlie golden sun. 
Under the purple twilight sicy. 

Over the pebbles I run. 

AT\ AUTOGRAPH. 

I never expect again to see 

My lover that sat in bliss with me 

Under the green-haired forest tree. 



168 Autumn Roses. 



HOW LITTLE BABY CAME. 
(a friend's firstborn.) 

Who brought our little bahy fair. 
With golden curls and glossy hair, 
And placed him in his mamma's arms, 
A heart's delight, with Hea,ven's charms? 
Who set the little bark adrift 
And guided it through cloudy rift 
To light upon this earth-bound shore, 
A brilliant star for evermore. 
The facile image of his pa, 
And winsome features of his ma? 

The little cherub's beating heart 
Was once of God's great soul a part. 
On angel wings the seraph stole 
In earthen temple, a human soul. 
God in his mystery works to-day; 
A wizard's hand he shows alway ; 
He is the life, he is the soul. 
This living mortal now is Avhole; 
It leaves the fount as leaves a stream. 
In glow of sunshine a radiant beam. 

So let us hope that x\utumn's shower 
May fall with spray upon the flower, 
So live and guide this mortal bloom 
As living it live beyond the tomb. 



Co-ordination, or Stream of Life. 169 

Standing the tidal wave and fretting, 
This charm of life had elsewhere its setting. 
And when the eye grows dim in sight, 
On golden wings the soul takes flight; 
It leaves the paths it long has trod. 
And lives again in peace witli God. 

January 18, 1905. 

CO-OEDIXATIOIS', OE STEEAM OF LIFE. 

My blood runs back whence time has sped 
To Adam and Eve in the garden fed. 
Eve had seen in the forbidden tree 
The nucleus of a race to be. 
The die was cast, the thread was spun ; 
Eve for Adam had borne a son. 
Whose eyes shown brightly as his pa, 
A saintlike image of his ma. 
Thank God, who planted in the tree 
This marvelous ]ilan of mystery, 
And, coursing down this stream of time. 
As wave that follows wave sublime. 
The flower that gTew on Eden's hill 
Is yet alive and blooming still. 
Eve is noblest and the best. 
Although 'tis said she there transgressed ; 
She only did God's law fulfill, 
And set to flowing this human rill ; 
And on it flows, as flow it must 
While earth is earth and dust is dust. 



170 Autumn Roses. 



And from the fount some meet decay ; 

The ripening spirit flies away. 

But still the germ is in the grain; 

Quickened, it leaps to life again. 

God's perfect soul can never die; 

He is my spirit, my apple's eye. 

He loves me. too, and yet he's firm; 

I feel his touch within me burn. 

He points the road to heaven and hell ; 

Which way we take we choose as well. 

He is the spark, the light within ; 

We blot it out or send it on. 

All secret sin it lieth bare ; 

God's ear is open everywhere. 

You cannot lie, you cannot steal ; 

His inward touch you sure will feel. 

His finger ti])s lie on my brow ; 

He breathes around me gently now. 

I see through haze or mist but ilim 

The great beyond and throne of him. 

He spoke aloud in thinider peal ; 

So heard his voice all Israel. 

The people shuddered, inward shrank ; 

Beseeching Moses, God drew back, 

And from his gilded, shining throne 

The patriarchs beckon us to come. 

Still hope remains through Eve, who fell. 

And power to shun the doom of hell. 

You cannot sin unless you feel 

The inward touch of God's appeal. 



CO-ORUINATION, OR STKKAM OF LlFK. 171 

When Baa] am sought his trusty sword, 
The angel brought rebuke from God. 
That mystic vision made Baalam whole. 
And saved thereby a living soul. 
All see in air and wave and sod 
The perfect image of a living God. 
The tide that flowed that natal day 
Ts still now flowing the selfsame way : 
And. handed down from sire to son. 
The mystic stream is flowing on : 
And by tliis wondrous stream of grace 
Man looks his image in the face. 
The forward wave may not return. 
Yet blood and tissue follow on. 
The boy is father, the man is son : 
With God the Father all are one. 
Some claim as their ancestral tree. 
Orang-outang or big monkey. 
What niattei's it? It doesn't disi^lace. 
Who started at first the monkey race ? 
Besides, it sbows a low decree, 
Tf some men sprung from big monkey. 
Perhaps they'd change to Baalam's ass ; 
'iliey lack the cheek, they lack the brass. 
jSTo skeptic reason, though it shine, 
(^'an loose the In'ancbes of the vine. 
The twig, the In'anch, the vine, and all, 
God's holy wisdom did install. 
So runs tlie thread and horoscope 
Where Eve, beguiled, the covenant iDroke. 



172 Autumn Roses. 



God's throne then gleamed with filigree, 
The golden scepter and holy see. 
There calm and peace and naught of strife 
Reigned round the throne and tree of life. 
Inscription " knock/' and you shall share; 
Good spirits all will enter here. 
With brand of love upon your brow, 
Come enter in ; you're ready now. 
And just below, beyond these bounds, 
Are wretched demons and hideous sounds. 
Where all the sin-lopped branches fell, 
Are writhing in the pit of hell. 



LITTLE BABY BELL. 

Here is little Baby Bell, 
Which from the purple heavens fell. 
She is a rosebud from on high. 
With rosy cheeks and sparkling eye. 

She has a crown of golden hair. 
And mamma says she's very fair; 
She fondles o'er her little form. 
And dresses her so nice and warm. 

She is so fair and very good 
That mamma feeds her angel food. 
She is so sweet she cannot cry ; 
She dearly loves a lullaby. 



Little Babv Bell. 



173 




LITTLE BABY BELL- 



But when her mamma long was gone. 
And she was left to play alone, 
She shrieked ont like a raging storm. 
And gave her papa great alarm. 



174 Autumn Roses. 



But iDamraa's soothing cheek was bliss : 
She gave the loving child a kiss ; 
She fed her from the sugar bowl. 
There is no fairer, sweeter sonl. 



VAm AJ^'iYA'S FATE. 

Anna and I once plighted our trotli 
Beneath the greenwood undergrowtli. 
There each the other did inspire, 
.Vncl kindled of love's eternal fire: 
Aiul many a ])looiu and woodland flowt'i' 
Brought incense for that sacred hour. 
The green moss lined the velvet mounds, 
xliul babbling Ijrooks iiuide mui'm'ring souiu 

The trailing xiuv swung loose to see. 
-Vnd kissi'd tlie niaidon ,so fair Avas she. 
Xo lovers' tryst A\'as e'er so fine: 
There natui-e tilled this heart of mine. 
Sweet cluirm of life it seemed to me, 
With love and Jiope and mystery. 
So angel-like, her face so fair, 
Her inward thoughts were mirrored there. 

And down life's path we joyful start, 
With \o\v that death could only part 
And sever the bond that we had made 
In leafv bower and bliss of shade. 



Fair Anna's Fate. 175 



No gloom or sadness could mar the ties 
From such a one with loving- eyes ; 
But hardships, toil, and steady strain 
Might bring a weariness to the lirain. 

Oft toiling a-field athirst was I ; 
She came with water and sparkling eye. 
She smiled, and oft would with me stay, 
Lightening tlie labors of the day. 
While round I sent the rolling share, 
Tier voice of melody filled the air; 
And homeward as she went her way 
She took the sunlight of the day. 

Tlie day had lost its greatest charm. 
'^Phe flower that smiled upon the fai-ni. 
I^)ut once, when I wasn't feeling first-rate, 
And she was sick, and suppei*, too, was late, 
T said : " '^'oii ouglit liave had your supper now 
You know how tired I am when I must plow. 
My mother never did this idle way; 
She always luul iu^r meals at close of day. 

"And all the work is left for me ; 
A perfect slave I now must be." 
She looked uijon me meek and wan. 
Astonished at this change in num. 
She never spoke nor made rej^lv. 
But inward felt that she would cry. 
The sev'ring of her heartstrings thero 
Was more than she could ever bear. 



176 Autumn Roses. 



She sono-ht her chaniher sick anrl sari. 
T never spoke a kindly word ; 
I went to work, but left no cheer 
Upon my love, sweet Anna dear. 
T thouf^ht a wi'on^^ that T had done, 
.\nd mai'i'cd her life and Iiappy home. 
I vowed iliat 1 would make it ri^^lil 
When 1 would lioiucwai'd ^^o that ni,nh(. 

The day seemed long and hot the; sun. 
But Anna dear had never come. 
No song of joy came me to cheer; 
My soul was gone in quest of hei-. 
I started homeward to right the wrong : 
Its soul had fled, its life was gone. 
A note upon the table lay: 
'' Your ma may cook; I've gone away. 

"' Dear love, I've done the best I could 
With scanty store and lack of wood. 
I would have wrought for goodness' sake : 
But 1 was sick, I could not bake. 
■You sure forget that lovely spot, 
The vow you made and have forgot. 
CTOod-by, my love; I hoped you'd come. 
Alas, dear home and fairest one ! " 

Dear soul, I've killed lier ; that I fear. 
I cannot find her far or near. 
I hunted paths and wood and stream ; 
Her image haunted me as a dream. 



Fair Anna's Fatk. 17' 

At last a track, a leaf, a flower — 
They led me to that haunted bower ; 
And there she sat beneath the tree 
Wliere she liad given her heart to mo. 

Sweet Anna, speak ; forgive me, dear ; 
My heart is sad ; I'm in despair." 
I laid my hand upon her head. 
No answer came; her soul had fled. 
I sank upon my bended Imee. 
God , have I oft'ended thee ? 
Speak, Anna; speak," again I said. 
T kissed her cheek, but she was dead. 

God, forgive tliis act of mine. 

My love I've killed in youth and prime. 
She shared my toil and bore my fate, 
And watched with smiles at evening's gate. 
Her life was balm, her joy was bliss ; 
My soul was full in peace like this. 
But she has gone, I know not where ; 
The angels took her in their care. 

1 view her form and golden liair: 
But Anna, Anna is not there. 

The earth resolved may turn to dust, 
But God the jewel holds in trust. 
She lives forever ; she cannot die : 
She lives in glory in the sky. 
Ijike her, I only wish to be 
A star in vast eteruit^•. 



178 Autumn' Roses. 



The pang of words that pierce the heart 
Is deadly as a poisoned dart ; 
For, as the echo of a sound. 
The missent words will sure rebound. 
They pierce as does the burnished steel ; 
Innocent hearts they sometimes kill. 
■ The words that pain should not be said ; 
Eemember fairest Anna dead. 

January 25, 1905. 

THE VIOLET. 

The South wind came in gentle breeze 

One pleasant sunny day. 
The green grass lengthened by degrees ; 

The lambkins were at play. 

A little brook ran bubbling by 
Through meadows broad and fair. 

The pretty violet oped its eye 
And breathed upon the air. 

Its breath was sweet. The velvet bee 
Came on a seeking tour; 
. By chance he happened there to see 
The pretty little flower. 

He kissed the floweret for its sweet, 

So rich in honey store; 
He wound tlie pollen on his feet, 

Then sought the cabin door. 



The Light of Dreams. 179 

Gay children pame in hearths delight 

And plucked it from its stead ; 
They matched its chin and made a fight. 

Then off came Beauty's head. 

SAveet little gem of sunny spring, 

Pray tell me if you Imow 
Who guides thy secret blossoming, 

And whither do you go. 

" I go the way of all the earth 
Who live upon the land. 
My glory is my future worth; 
I line the golden strand." 

January 29, 1905. 



THE LIGHT OF DEEAMS. 

Many have tried in numbers late 

The pastoral bard to imitate. 

Sweet as the sound of some far stream 

Is the golden music of a dream; 

But those who dream in gloaming day 

Around the greater muses play. 

Orpheus ne^er has tamed the fire 

That springs from many a lukewarm lyre. 

Parnassus lies in secret woods, 

Where martial strains come near the gods; 

But those who venture out to stray 

Lose from the fount along the way. 



180 Autumn Roses. 



The strains of love they ]iJav but Jow, 
While naiads evei- haunt the bow. 
As gnomes lie dormant to the sight, 
The}' only sparlcle in borrowed light, 
Though they may shine and learn to glow 
By dint of passion that yet may flow. 
Their laurels east, the bard receives, 
Though empty honors no heart e'er gjieves. 
Push onward, then, the mount to climb ; 
Let numbers flow like sparkling wine. 
The secret sylphs may soothe the ear, 
Gniding the minstrel singing near. 
Who knows the unseen causes prove 
That gTiide the secret strains of love? 
They act, and cannot seek and l>aiow 
What made the precious numliers flow. 
Apollo, soaring in the air. 
May touch the heart and tune the lyre. 
Howe'er it be, let joy abound ; 
We live in music and in sound. 
God knows the mystic realms and new. 
And charming strains that pleaseth you. 
Great Homer wrought and pleased the soul ; 
His strains of joy still onward roll; 
And where they'll end there is no tellin' ; 
l"'hey seem as beaiitiful as his Helen. 
Though minor singers seem to play. 
Give ear and list to what they say ; 
Though crying babes may noisy be, 
They fill most hearts with jollity. 



The Light of Dreams. ISl 

The humble is the sweeter strain ; 

It echoes longest on the plain. 

Pope the lap dog tried to> kill; 

Tie left it bleeding- as it fell : 

.\nd many a lovely heart a-swoon 

He rent and sent to nether doom. 

TiOrd Byron on ]3essiniistic harp 

On virtue ever seemed to carp. 

Fair angels in a drastic fit 

He deemed an object of his wit ; 

And much he lost and very dear — 

A lordship and a noble peer. 

Let those" wlio chide seek fairer bowers 

in fairer fiekls among the flowers.-^ 

0, Goldsmith, had thou lived to share 

The pleasures of a partner dear ! 

But man ingenious rich had grown 

Where he had neitlier reaped nor sown. 

And life is thwarted of a boon ; 

The clouds of darkness came too soon. 

Fate rules the tide, and all is o'er ; 

I'hen fades the pretty smiling flower. 

Its essence, though, may still reuurin 

To cheer the lovely lass and swain. 

As bubbles brilliant please the eye. 

Sweet songs of nature never die. 

They haimt the strings witli music blend : 

They live in hearts of foe and friend. 

Ijongfellow, who had reached the goal, 

Felt for each striving, weary soul 



182 Autumn Roses. 



Who sought to climh Parnassus' slope. 

And grave his name in measured trope. 

How can the bards and muses meet, 

While Aaron's wand the others eat? 

The diapason scale of sound 

ISTe'er lack^a single step or round. 

So let the nymphs of music be, 

Mar not the soul of S3mimetrv. 

All nature fair abounds in love ; 

The " how " or " why " man cannot prove : 

But all confess the sacred chain 

Lies ever in the mystic brain. 

On some fair object by degree 

It moves in secret harmony. 

The rose, though shielded by the thorn, 

Man's heart to it is ever drawn ; 

And in fair souls, but hidden deep, 

May lie the evil of deceit. 

The lesser false, the greater good. 

Is hidden in the glancing prude. 

Howe'er it be, let poets sing 

Of love and lass and balmy spring, 

Wherein there shines a brighter ray 

To charm the mystic elves away. 

Let warmth in every heart fulfill 

The secret of the holy will. 

No Eappite can the love allay 

That lovers know in warmth of May. 

They may against fair nature side. 

But Christ liimself will claim his bride. 



L' ENVOY. 183 

Dark Sodom fell, the Eappites know ; 
It crumbled with a single blow. 
The youthful maiden in her prime 
Man's love will circle as a vine. 
Attached as tendril ever will, 
True hearts of love will life instill. 
The race of man moves on, we see, 
In spite of all JSTew Harmony. 
The board of schools in reason thin 
Force on the master works of sin. 
Let honor rise and take her place, 
Stamp out the evil of disgrace. 
God made the earth a lovely bower. 
With incense for each passing hour. 
In fields of joy we must prepare 
For life in brighter atmosphere. 

L'envoy. 

These roses grew in sun and shade; 
Be careful, friend, nor let them fade. 
The sages yet their worth may tell. 
Dear flowers and friend, farewell, farewell. 



1 — ^- 

Love Among the IMistletoe, and Poems " 

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*A Lover in Cuba, and Poems" 

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i 



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13 '^''•^ 



